Win ugly, get dirty, throw elbows and play hard.
Thinking of professional sports?
Think again.
On Saturday, sorority sisters will trade in the short skirts forthe spandex and the tube tops for jerseys. Take off the mascara andput on some eye black, Powder Puff is back and better than ever.The ladies have been training hard and kickoff couldn’t comesoon enough.
In its fifth year of existence on campus, Pi Kappa Alpha’sannual flag football tournament benefiting leukemia research isshaping up for greatness. Twelve teams have entered the hunt,including last year’s champion, the law school. The defendingchamps will have to put in the extra effort this year now thateveryone will be gunning for them.
Law school captain Lynn Jenkins said the team is ready.
“We are excited to know that people are eager to see usplay again. We hope we can walk away victorious again,”Jenkins said. “We had a lot of fun last year, and we are gladto be able to help a wonderful and much needed cause.”
Don’t confuse helping the cause with serious competitivevibes. The play on the field is fierce and the ladies meanbusiness.
Chi Omega captain Kristen Sudela wants to win at all costs.
“We don’t want to do anything but win thechampionship,” Sudela said. “Anything less than thetitle would be disappointing. Chi Omega wants those braggingrights.”
The event continues to grow around campus. This year, Red Bulland Roly Poly will be the official sponsors of the event. Red Bullwill have a tent set up at the field and is bringing a DJ to supplymusic and entertainment. Roly Poly will be giving discounted mealsfor all of the tournament participants.
The event is so popular, teams go out of their way to try andmake a difference. Alpha Chi Omega was unable to organize a teambefore the deadline and promptly responded by making a generousdonation as compensation. Some of the houses even chose to entertwo teams into the tournament.
Pike philanthropy chairman Brooks Thomas wants the event tocatch the eye of everyone on campus.
“We want Powder Puff to be something that students allover campus want to come and watch and come and participatein,” Thomas said. “There is a lot of potential to raisemoney for a great cause and for students, greek and non-greek, toenjoy the day and the campus unity.
Unity is a common factor in bringing out the sororities toplay.
Kappa Kappa Gamma captain Katie Bibb thinks that the opportunityto interact with other students is a huge plus.
“We all love being able to do something healthy and activewith other people, and we have a fun time doing so,” Bibbsaid. “It is a very good cause, and we are just happy to be apart of it.”
Pi Kappa Alpha is working in collaboration with the intramuraldepartment to make sure the event is a success. Intramuralofficials donate time to paint the fields, create the tournamentbrackets, officiate the games and monitor the event. The officialsenjoy the laid-back event.
Senior Jared Cloud is in his second season officiating thefootball tournament and enjoys watching the day’s eventsunfold. He takes a relaxed approach to the day.
“I just stand out there and ref,” Cloud said.”It is easy and the games are fun to watch. There isn’tmuch trouble.”
Pike External Vice President Blake Houghton worked with thesororities to make sure things run smoothly. Each team was givenPike fraternity members to coach the teams and explain rules andregulations.
Houghton is excited about the possibilities.
“It should be a really nice event,” Houghton said.”We appreciate all of the hard work it took to put this eventtogether.”
The event begins roughly around 10 in the morning and continuesall afternoon until the championship game at 5 p.m. in FordStadium.
Kappa Alpha Theta captain Jenn Alford spoke for each team whenshe said the event is all about fun.
“We will play hard and try to win. Every team wants towin,” Alford said. “We just want to be able to have funwhile we play.”
All you have to bring is yourself, and the ladies will be sureto supply the excitement. Admission is free and everyone from theuniversity is encouraged to attend.
