Proud to be a Phikap during Greek Week

In the past, Phikaps are known to have caused the judges at Greek Week to issue or modify rules based on what they did for banner or any part of the GW competition. It would seem we certainly do love to push the envelope, and unfortunately, it deprives the rest of the fraternities and sororities from enjoying the fun.

I guess it probably started way back when I was a senior in 2000. Our banner was the saloon, and it took weeks to build, and we really believed that it was a sure-win at the banner competition. Instead, our saloon was disqualified!!!

The reason: When the judges were reviewing the saloon, they noted that two of our brothers who were standing on top of it were considered part of the banner. Therefore, they judged that the banner exceeded the maximum height of the structure as defined by the competition rules.

Who would have thought that if a person that was standing on the saloon, it would have exceeded the 12-foot restriction? Sure, if it was known ahead of time, no one would have been standing on top of it. I considered it a poor decision choice from the judges. I also considered the rule saying that anything touching the banner be included in the measurements not in the best traditions of the Greek Week banner event competition. My personal opinion, of course, and I am sure those past GW judges thought the same way after it was said and done.

The banner disqualification was a turning point in how we performed during the rest of Greek Week 2000. We thought about pulling out of the competition. Some thought we were cheated. Others thought it was all a plan to get us kicked out of the event. Certainly, a lot of other chapters expressed disappointment about our saloon getting DQ'ed.

Instead, we decided to fight back with the best Greek spirit ever seen. We showed up in numbers at all the events, cheering on our fellow brothers as well as other chapters. At the end of Rope Pull, we got the Greek Spirit trophy. At the end of that year, our chapter got the Agnar Pytte Cup. At our National Convention that year, we got the Founders' Cup.

It was one of the proudest years I had while I was a Phikap.

* * * * * * * *

In keeping up the spirit of being a Phikap, the guys made t-shirts for this year's theme: The Legend Continues...

It is without doubt that Greek Week themes in the past have been dumb, corny, and a bit stupid. Honestly, we should do away with these themes.

The Front:

The Back: