Sigma Pi aims for 5th straight intramural championship

Brotherhoods are based on a will and desire to put forth the greatest effort in protecting and aiding their cohorts in any circumstance. The bond that fraternities possess includes this brotherhood; it helps unite each fraternity brother together in creating a cohesive group of guys that would go to great lengths to protect the reputation and well-being of each individual. \nIn many cases, brotherhood can be associated with something as inane as intramural sports. But what would be considered trivial and less important to the average person is in fact a prestigious athletic competition in which the fraternities put the reputation of their own house at stake. \nBecause of this, brotherhood is a consistent driving force that leads to success in this area. \nSigma Pi has shown this undeniable brotherhood through its recent success in intramural sports here at IU. Just look at the trophy case -- it speaks for itself. They have won four consecutive intramural championships, a great accomplishment by any standards. Sigma Pi competes in Division I and Division II of intramural sports. Division I is designed to meet the needs of the typical athletic competitor. \nStandings are created by the Fraternity Manager's Committee based on a points system. Points are given for every sport and for other achievements, such as showing up for manager meetings. Then, fraternities are ranked from top to bottom \nContinuity as well as new participants help Sigma Pi compete, Sigma Pi intramural chair Keith Healy said.\n"There is a large amount of athletes in the house, and many are always willing to play," Healy said. "We like to keep some of the same teams together, and at the same (time), allow many new people to sign up and participate."\nEven this early in the semester, Sigma Pi has shown why it has won four consecutive championships. In the intramural sport of flag football, Sigma Pi has been a convincing contender, winning seven of its eight contests in two divisions of play. The fraternity has also gained attention with a win and loss in whiffleball and intends to build on this success.\nJunior Josh Robb, Sigma Pi's house president, understands the importance of its recent intramural success. \n"We hold it extremely high," Robb said. "We've always held intramurals at a high level, as does our national fraternity. There is a lot of moral support, which helps bring the house closer."\nThe two houses that regularly compete with Sigma Pi are Sigma Nu and Phi Gamma Delta. Both fraternities have also been very impressive in the early going of intramural play. Sigma Nu has won every game in both whiffleball and flag football, making a strong early case to be a contender for the intramural championship. Phi Gamma Delta has won its lone whiffleball game thus far and three of six flag football games.\nAlthough it is still early in intramural play, Sigma Pi is making a strong case to earn a fifth consecutive intramural championship. \nWhile Sigma Nu, Phi Gamma Delta and other fraternities refuse to let the "defending champs" claim another title for their already crowded trophy case, the high spirits flowing within the Sigma Pi house could help them reach intramural supremacy.\n"We feel pretty confident," Healy said. "There is a good possibility we can win it again."\n-- Contact staff writer Evan Harris at evharris@indiana.edu.