The Sigma Chi Fraternity hosted Derby Days last week to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network, an organization to help children’s hospitals.

Derby Days began way back in 1933 as Sigma Chi’s National philanthropy. Since then Eastern’s local Sigma Chi has done its best to carry out the tradition to raise money during the week.

Derby Days is a friendly weeklong competition amongst the sororities to see who can win the most points by winning a number of mini-activities hosted through out the week.

Two Sigma Chi members inform each sorority and coach each team through the various events like the sand volleyball tournament and dance off in Greek Court.

Johnny Mathews, a junior communications major, and his friend James Jordan, a senior sociology major, were very excited for the dance off. Jordan was a coach for Delta Zeta. “I’ve been practicing with my team,” he said. “It’s a whole ’80s thing. The ladies of Delta Zeta have been working hard.”

Other activities included coin wars amongst the sororities and Derby Darling.

The Derby Darling is the one event that wins the most points for the ladies particular house.

One lady from each sorority is chosen by their sisters to be a candidate to win the Title Derby Darling. Judges base their decisions on a number of questions including, “What Children’s Miracle Network means to you?”

Maggie McFarland from Alpha Sigma Tau, a senior in elementary education, was chosen to be this year’s Derby Darling. Children’s Miracle Network means a lot to McFarland.

“It gives the children a reason to fight. They allow things to come in (to the hospital) to give them hope and a reason to fight, not just at Christmas time,” she said. “(The hospital) bring in Santas, athletes, and magic shows. They do things a normal hospital does not do.

“When you are older you know what life is, but when you are a child, you don’t know as much. I think it is also outstanding that the Sigma Chi’s help raise the money and get the all the sororities involved.”

Sigma Kappa won the title Derby Day Champs 2007. They will receive their trophy on Tuesday night along with a Spaghetti Dinner provided by the Sigma Chi.

Shane Davis, a junior communications major and vice president of Sigma Chi, helped to organize the Derby Days. After a year off break because limited planning, he is happy that Sigma Chi can host it again this year. His goal was to raise $1,000 for Children’s Miracle Network. The fraternity raised $1,034 by the end of the week.

Davis is also happy that he is he can help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

“It’s based out of St. John’s (Children’s) Hospital in (Springfield) Illinois,” he said. “I know a lot of people who have known people who have gone through that. It is a great philanthropy for our fraternity.

“It feels good, for all of us, to help kids who are close to us geographically. I know if I was a kid in that position I would be happy knowing someone was helping me.”