Sigma Tau Gamma (STG) fraternity hosted their second annual philanthropy fundraising event, “Sig Tau Chowdown” to a crowd of hundreds on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 10 pm in Pollak Theatre to raise money for cancer research.
The Sig Tau Chowdown raised over $1400 in donations. STG sent all proceeds from the event to their philanthropy, the Mike McNeil Organization.
Following a successful first Sig Tau Chowdown in Spring 2013, the fraternity returned to Pollak Theatre to host its second incarnation. STG began planning the event at the end of April 2014 and spent all of September working with the University, sponsors and other students to bring the event to campus for a second time.
Mike McNeil attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and was initiated at the STG chapter on that campus. McNeil battled a form of cancer called pheochromocytoma, which affected his adrenal gland system, before passing away in 2009. His friends and loved ones founded The Mike McNeil Organization in 2012 in his honor. MikeMcNeil.org’s information page states, “With the help of [McNeil’s] family, friends and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, we’re able to raise thousands of dollars each year […] benefiting cancer research as well as other non-profit causes Michael believed in.”
The event marked the first Greek philanthropy fundraiser of the academic year. Hundreds attended, including undergraduate students, alumni, and faculty. John Buchalski, Assistant Director of Student Activities for Fraternity and Sorority Life, said that he enjoyed seeing the event return.
“It is a good way to kick off the school year for events like this,” Buchalski said. “It’s an event that captivates the audience.”
The event consisted of a sub-eating contest that featured two rounds, one for female students and the other for males. The subs for the contest were provided to the fraternity courtesy of Jersey Mike’s Subs. STG’s Philanthropy Chair, Joseph Santini, and the fraternity’s White Rose Sweetheart, Jessica Purpura of Alpha Sigma Tau (AST), hosted the event.
“It’s a really fun philanthropy event that allows Monmouth’s Greek Life members to show off their competitive sub-eating skills while raising money for a great cause,” Purpura said.
The event began with Santini and Purpura explaining the rules to contestants and the audience.
“Each contestant has 10 minutes to eat as many subs as they can,” Santini said. “The winner of each round receives three VIP passes to the upcoming GrooveBoston event on campus.”
The first round featured women from eight different organizations, including sorority members and representatives from on-campus clubs. Each contestant was allowed to bring another member of their organization on stage to coach them through the eating contest.
STG members placed a box of subs before each contestant. The first round commenced with contestants immediately digging into their boxes. AST’s Jessica Stern won the first round after eating eight subs in the allotted timeframe.
Following the women’s round, Natalie Zeller of Blue Hawk Records performed a two-song set during an intermission while the fraternity set up for the men’s competition. She performed a cover version of the song “Ain’t it Fun” by Paramore followed by her own musical mash-up of the songs “Roar” by Katy Perry” and “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.
The men’s round began once Zeller finished her performance, following the same rules as the previous round. Members of five different fraternities competed. The outcome resulted in a tie between Cameron McMath of Tau Kappa Epsilon and Nash Wiener of Delta Tau Delta. Both students finished at 11 subs.
The round continued with a tiebreaker between Wiener and McMath to determine the victor. Santini placed five subs before the two contestants and said that the first to finish the remaining five sandwiches would win. McMath won the tiebreaker. He finished fourteen subs in total.
STG awarded both rounds’ first-place winners three VIP passes to the University’s upcoming event, GrooveBoston, provided by the Student Activities Board. The winners also received $10 gift certificates to Bagel Guys Deli.
“It’s an amazing thing to be a part of,” said STG’s Vice President John Foye. “Knowing our chapter and all other chapters can have a philanthropy in a brother’s name to support makes donating to the cause a more personal investment for all of us.”
STG plans to host a third annual Sig Tau Chowdown in the Fall 2015 Semester.
Photo Courtesy of Dan Malone
