The volleyball tournament Monday night marked one of many competitive events throughout Greek Week. The Greek League, comprised of chapters Sigma Kappa, Delta Chi and Phi Kappa Tau, won the tournament at Lied Recreational Center.

At the tournament, 15 teams competed for first place, with teams comprised of three to four chapters along with one or two Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) athletes.

Greek Week involves fundraising for SOIA, competing in tournaments and uniting as a community.  

Each team wore themed attire and brought humourous posters or flags that their SOIA athlete helped them create. For every event throughout Greek Week the team’s theme changes.

Will Wehrspann, member of Phi Gamma Delta, said his team’s theme for the night was ugly Christmas sweaters. 

“Our team is filled with determination and grit,” he said when asked about overheating out on the court. 

Joe Stanton, member of Delta Upsilon, said the tournaments are fun breaks throughout the week and an excuse to let loose before dead week and finals. His cheer section held Nightmare on Greek Street’s flag which Kyler Prunty, the team’s athlete, helped create.

While members compete and socialize with others, they don’t lose sight of the philanthropic message behind Greek Week.

Stanton, a native of Colorado, raised $105 for SOIA. He said back home he played unified basketball, where people with and without disabilities came together to play on the same team.

“I’m 10 hours away but can still contribute to Special Olympics and their mission,” Stanton said.

Hannah Williams, co-chair for Pi Beta Phi, raised $225 for SOIA. She said her mom encouraged her to volunteer at the Summer Games, and she’s been heavily involved with the organization for years.

Tyler Leech, SOIA athlete representative for Sigma Kappa, experienced his second Greek Week this year.

Leech said last year he participated in dodgeball, Polar Bear Plunge, judged Lip Sync and gave a speech at Vespers. This year, he cheered on The Greek League at the dodgeball tournament, and he plans to participate in basketball, treds, Polar Bear Plunge and possibly judge Lip Sync again. Along with actively cheering on his team during Greek Week, Leech created an autism awareness challenge.

Barefoot Autism Challenge began last year, and his challenge requires participants to walk barefoot wherever possible. Members of Sigma Kappa supported Leech by participating in the month long challenge last year.

This year’s challenge started Sunday and ends April 30.

To learn more about his mission, those interested can visit his Facebook page Barefoot Autism Challenge.

The next tournament for Greek Week is treds on Wednesday evening. Treds is similar to ultimate Frisbee except with a football, said Lauren Nelson, another co-chair for Pi Beta Phi. Members of the SOIA cheer squad will perform a halftime show at treds too.

“Greek Week lets us support one another, promote Greek life in a positive way and raise funds for Special Olympics Iowa,” said Katy Becker, Gamma Phi Beta member.