Fraternity lends a hand to Special Olympics

Every February, the IU community hosts Spirit of Sport, which features non-stop sports competition, fitness activities, aquatic events, as well as special events and demonstrations. The event showcases the Recreational Sports program as well as raises money for the Indiana Special Olympics and provides students with valuable leadership experience. \nSince 1976 the SOS all-nighter has donated more than $262,500 to the Indiana Special Olympics, making it the group's largest fundraiser. This year the Delta Pi chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma, also known as "The Skulls," assessed how committed the pledges were to the fraternity's vision of brotherhood, community involvement and philanthropy by sponsoring the Johnson County Rockets, a basketball team for the Special Olympics. \nThe Skulls invited their six pledges to join them in supporting the basketball team. The Skulls were extremely pleased that all of their pledges came to the event, giving them the largest fraternity attendance with 25 members in all.\nBefore the event, the pledges met to help design posters for each kid on the team, as well as posters for the entire team. \n"It wasn't mandatory for them to come, but by turning up, they showed us their commitment," said senior member Matthew Carr. \nMany parents of the children on the team were extremely moved by the Skulls' support, some even cried. During the game each kid selflessly shared the ball - giving everyone a chance. \n"I had numerous parents come up to me and thank me for organizing our sponsorship of the team," said senior member Rob Lather. "The kids were very happy to see a huge crowd cheer them on."\nFreshman Skulls pledge J.T. Petelik likes this method of testing new members. \n"I thought initiation was going to be all about drinking," he said. "After hearing of people going to the hospital because of frat initiation, I didn't think I wanted any part in the greek system." \nPetelik said he has since changed his mind. He found out about the skulls and has since realized that initiation should consist of actual brotherhood activities that a fraternity is "supposed to do."\nCarr said there is a special connection between the fraternity and the kids. Both the Skulls and the kids are trying to fit in. \n"We are different from your average fraternity and therefore not as well accepted," Carr said. "I feel like we are just like these kids, striving to exist.\n"An event like Spirit of Sports gives people a real opportunity to see the true benefits that one community can give to another. We had a ball cheering the kids on and everyone had giant smiles on their faces. I don't think there was anybody who wasn't happy"