Yesterday, representatives of each fraternity and sorority at Penn put their Ivy League educations to the test.
This year's Academic Bowl - which celebrated the culmination of Greek Week - challenged each team's knowledge of Penn, pop culture and politics. The battle commenced yesterday afternoon in Huntsman Hall, where the Greeks pulled out all the stops for the glory of "a trophy of a trophy holding a trophy," in the words of Wharton junior Dan Miller, a member of Alpha Chi Rho.
The eight rounds included categories like Penn Athletic Traditions, Pop Culture, Penn Around Campus, and Politics. Each round consisted of 10 questions, such as "What is the history behind Penn's mascot?" and "In what year was alcohol banned from Franklin Field?" (the answers are Ben Franklin's Quaker background and 1970, respectively).
The event was hosted by Chief of Police Mark Dorsey. First prize winner - Alpha Chi Rho - received a $100 gift certificate to Steven Starr restaurants, while a $50 certificate went to Sigma Nu, the second-place winner.
"It's all in good fun," said College junior Drew Tye, President of the Panhellenic Council. "It's competitive in the most spirited sort of way."
Indeed, the event was characterized from the start by an informal atmosphere of excitement and friendly competition.
People chatted and laughed loudly throughout the challenge, and some even jumped over desks between questions to talk to their friends. Each team member wore a cap or T-shirt that displayed the name of his or her chapter.
Larry Moses, Program Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs - who distinguished himself from the crowd by wearing an Eagles cap - introduced the event.
Moses explained that each fraternity and sorority could dub what they thought was their most successful round as the "joker." The score the chapter received for that round would then be doubled.
After each round, the answers were read out loud to cheers and cries of outrage alike. When "Hey Day" was announced as the answer to the question, "What Penn tradition celebrates the advancement of each class?" one girl yelled out "You said all classes! Hey Day is just for juniors!" After answers were read out and contested, the challenge would finally continue on to the next round.
Leland Meibeyer, College sophomore and president of Alpha Chi Rho was very excited about the win. "The trophy is on our mantel," he said. "I liked the questions. . It was challenging but they weren't ridiculous."
Miller explained that he had been playing football on Hill Field just minutes before the challenge began when Meibeyer asked him to participate. He plans to take part in the event again next year. "It was exciting, and the smartest team won," he said.
