Instead of being filled with Creighton students decked out in blue gear coming out to support a Creighton soccer team, the fields outside Morrison stadium were replaced with teams of students playing soccer to support an annual philanthropy event.
The Phi Delta Theta fraternity held their annual Phi Delt Futbol philanthropy event for ALS in the Heartland Oct.1 on the fields outside Morrison Stadium. The event raised more than $2000, according to Phi Delt philanthropy chair and Business junior Matt Novotny, and was considered a success.
“The event went great this year,” Novotny said. “We had more teams than we expected which made for some chaotic scheduling but overall a very successful event in our eyes.”
In addition to having more people participating, the location of the annual philanthropic event also changed.
“We realized that Creighton was a soccer-loving campus and we wanted to think of a fun, easy and unique way to use that excitement for a good cause,” Novotny said. “In the past we have held our tournament indoors at the KFC. This year in an attempt to revamp Futbol in a variety of ways we moved outside on the fields west of Morisson.”
Arts & Sciences junior and Gamma Phi Beta member Jess Bolander agreed with Novotny, and said that the outdoor location added to the ambiance of the event.
“It’s a lot of fun getting to play and hang out with friends, plus it’s was a beautiful day to play this year,” Bolander said.
While Bolander saw the event as recreational, according to Arts & Sciences junior and Phi Delt member Lance Gluntz, the tournament contained a competitive aspect.
“Some people get competitive, especially the teams that go longer in the tournament,” Glunz said. “But there are also those that just come to hang out and spend time with friends.”
While students participating the Phi Delt Futbol appreciated the social aspects of the event, they remained aware of the philanthropic importance that it had for the ALS Association.
“I feel excited being here,” Glunz said. “[The event] focuses on philanthropy in a way that makes it easy to have a lot of fun. People might not consciously know it, but by being here they are helping people.”
Bolander agreed with the importance of the philanthropy involved in the event.
“Gamma Phi hugely supports other [Greek philanthropic events].” Bolander said. “We want people to support our philanthropy so it goes both ways.”
Overall, according to Novotny the Phi Delt Futbol was successful in incorporating both the philanthropic and social aspects of the event and encouraged students to continue to participate in it annually.
“My favorite part of the event this year was the large number of students just hanging around even if they were done playing to talk to friends and enjoy the weather,” Novotny said. “I’d like to think people participated because they thought it was a great time. Also, Creighton students have a soft spot for philanthropy efforts […] hopefully word of mouth spreads, but I’d tell all students or friends interested in playing that it is a fun atmosphere, a great cause, and there is no reason not to attend.”