The single-elimination basketball tournament serves as a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation, the national Chi Omega philanthropic organization. Nineteen teams competed in the 4-hour tournament, with a $150 entry fee for one team and a $200 entry fee for two teams. Teams were split into male and female brackets.
“Make A Wish is near and dear to our hearts,” said Psi Zeta chapter President Amanda Van Tillborg. “It is life-changing to us as a sorority, and it wouldn’t be possible without our community’s help.”
This year top honors went to the Delta Gamma sorority, who won the women’s bracket, and the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi sealing victory in the men’s bracket. Winners received a large trophy to keep.
At the beginning of September, Chi Omega members shared information regarding the basketball tournament to fraternities, sororities and other organizations on campus. There is also the best banner contest that the teams participated in and put around the basketball courts to cheer on their team, Chi Omega, and support Make-A-Wish with festive colors and drawings.
The Psi Zeta chapter of Chi Omega has raised enough money to grant the wishes of two children, and are hoping to raise enough this year to grant another wish, changing the life of a child afflicted with a life-threatening illness.
All the chapter’s fundraising money is donated to the Gulf Coast Make-A-Wish chapter, which then notifies the sorority about which wish the money supported.
“We narrow down the list to someone who lives in Houston and then go from there,” Van Tilborg said.
Last year, the Psi Zeta chapter raised over seven thousand dollars for Make-A-Wish with the Swishes for Wishes tournament. Chi Omega plans to continue fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish with a silent auction on Nov. 20. Auctioned goods will come from donations from participating companies, organizations and people.
Chi Omega's in the Daily Cougar again!! These girls are legit!! Keep up the great work!