Tug-of-war brings Panhel to Palestra

Donning their bid-day shirts, sorority sisters and pledges stormed the Palestra Friday night to support the Quaker men - and the Rena Rowan Breast Health Center. This year marked the second annual Panhel at the Palestra, an event designed to increase Greek spirit and raise money for Panhellenic Council philanthropy. The event, which raised over $1,200, served as a way for the sororities to come together to "not only support our philanthropy and our community, but the athletic department as well," Panhel president and College junior Kristen Buppert said. "I think it's a great cause, which is why I think this night is a great idea," Sigma Delta Tau president and College sophomore Lindsay Baker echoed. The Rena Rowan Breast Health Center has been Panhel's philanthropy organization since last spring, when University President Judith Rodin suggested the Center could greatly use Panhel's help and support, said Buppert, an Alpha Chi Omega sister. Each sorority was supplied with 100 tickets to Friday's game, which they then sold at the regular $6 price. From each ticket sold, $2 went towards the Center, and the remaining $4 went back to the Palestra. Panhel was the first organization to sponsor such an event at the Palestra last year. As a result of its success, the Department of Recreation is now allowing other groups to mimic the approach. Although attendance at the game as a whole was lacking, the sororities managed to pack the seats. For some pledges, the event was mandatory, while for others it was strongly encouraged. Many women agreed that the event was both fun and worthwhile. "I think it's a great opportunity to show that sororities are more than just going out to clubs. that we really have a lot of spirit and invest a lot of time in the school," College freshman and Delta Delta Delta pledge Melissa La Vigne said. However, some were disappointed with the event's turnout. "I think this place should be full for all games," College freshman and Phi Sigma Sigma pledge Dana Sandberg noted. But she added that "there should be more people here for this game because not only are they supporting Penn basketball, but they're also supporting Panhel." The event's half-time festivities featured tug-of-war competitions between the sororities. And while not everyone could win, some took losing more gracefully than others. "We didn't want to embarrass anyone," Baker jokingly said of SDT's loss to Alpha Chi. "So we decided to let the other team win." Proceeds from Panhel's two major fundraisers - Panhel at the Palestra in the spring and the Ribbon Run in the fall - go towards the Center, as do proceeds from Greek Week. In addition, members of Panhel will volunteer at the Center this semester. "Not only are we raising funds," Buppert said, "we're giving them time." Panhel's previous philanthropy was a national AIDS foundation. Buppert said she appreciates having a more local cause, as Panhel would previously send checks to "people we would never really know or see."