Tomorrow's gridiron match-up between Michigan and Michigan State may contain some less than gentlemanly conduct, but tonight's Sigma Nu and United Way Football Run may bring some goodwill and charity to the rivalry.
Members of the University's chapter of the Sigma Nu fraternity will drive to East Lansing tonight to meet their brothers from Michigan State University. Joined by sorority women, the students will jog 77 miles back to Ann Arbor to raise money for the United Way.
"We get a bunch of vans, drive to East Lansing and both Sigma Nu chapters run back to Ann Arbor before the game," said Phil Gresh, a Business senior and the Ann Arbor campus' Sigma Nu vice president.
The students will start jogging at about 11 p.m., and plan to arrive about 10 hours later. "There will be no time to sleep before the game," Gresh said.
Each fraternity chapter will be accompanied by the members of a sorority, but because of Panhellenic rush week regulations, Gresh would not disclose the sorority name.
Gresh said the Sigma Nu tradition runs back more than 10 years, although he was not sure exactly how long the two fraternity chapters have been participating in the charity event.
Gresh said his chapter has raised $7,000 this year, part of which will be deducted to pay for the vans. The money will go first to the University, Gresh said, which will then give it to the Washtenaw United Way.
"The United Way fund-raising campaign among all University staff kicked off on Wednesday," said Jim Cieslar, president of the Washtenaw United Way. "The goal is $950,000."
Sponsors of the run include the Princeton Review test preparation service, Noggins hair salon, Thano's Lamplighter restaurant and the families of Sigma Nu members.
"The Sigma Nu run is a fun idea that generates revenue and heightens awareness of our fun-raising operations," Cieslar said. "It's a proverbial win-win situation."
In addition to the contribution to charity, tonight's run provides a chance for students from both universities to get to know each other.
"Some people go out and get some serious exercise, but it's a good way to reduce the tension of the rivalry," LSA senior and Sigma Nu member A. O. Wood said. This will be his third run.
"In my three runs, I've had a great time," Gresh said.
"I've met people and helped raise money for a worthy cause, and it's also good publicity for the Greek system," Gresh said.
09-25-98
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