Students gobble cheesesteaks for charity

College junior Joey Gelbard sat dejected with a partially eaten Abner's cheesesteak before him. "I got to the third one and I got stuffed -- I didn't know what to do," he said. "I had to eat half of it just for pride." Eight hungry students, each representing a team of eight to 15 students participating in Sigma Chi's Derby Days, indulged in a showdown of sorts at Abner's at 38th and Chestnut streets last night, vying for a year's worth of the Belly Buster Special. The contest required eating as many cheesesteaks as possible in 30 minutes. College senior and Sigma Chi brother Corin Brown downed six cheesesteaks to win the contest and take home the coveted prize. Ironically, Brown was persuaded by his team to enter the contest only minutes before it began. The only female of the eight participants was College freshman Christina Alban. Before the clock started, she declared, "Slow and steady wins the prize!" Alban, however, ate only three and a half cheesesteaks. "I got a free t-shirt and 10 pounds," she said afterward, before heading to Baskin Robbins for some chocolate chip ice cream. Derby Days is a week-long series of fundraisers for the Children's Crisis Treatment Center of Philadelphia sponsored by Sigma Chi. Abner's owner Gus Raptis donated use of his restaurant and food for the event. In addition, Abner's will donate 10 percent of yesterday's profits to the charity. Derby Days was boycotted last April by the Panhellenic Council in response to concerns of sexual harassment and excessive drinking associated with the activities, according to Sigma Chi president and College senior Todd Johnson. Panhel is currently addressing whether to re-recognize Derby Days. However, a conclusion has not yet been reached, according to Panhel executive vice president and College junior Laurie Curtin. "We voted to take a look at all the changes that [Sigma Chi] made," Curtin said, adding that she expects each chapter will be given the individual option of whether to boycott Derby Days. "We've realized that Sigma Chi has made a lot of good changes," Curtin added. In addition to the Abner's eat-down, Sigma Chi sponsored a foosball tournament at Smokey Joe's Tuesday night. Derby Days continues with its fundraising efforts Thursday with a Casino Night at Sigma Chi and Friday with a Wiffleball tournament and party. Sigma Chi brothers also are volunteering this week at the Children's Crisis Treatment Center downtown. Johnson anticipates raising between $3,000 and $4,000 for the Center by the end of the week.