The 45-degree weather didn’t keep sorority sisters from participating in yesterday’s field events for Sigma Chi’s annual Derby Days fundraiser. The fraternity decided this year’s theme to be “Derby Dazed and Confused,” as they hung tie-dyed, hippie-esq banners to kick-off the series of events that will benefit the Frankie Lemmon’s School.

Phil Foy, a junior in biological life sciences, and Zach Adams, a junior in industrial engineering and economics, were named the “Derby Daddies” this year — also known as the organizers.

“We decided to organize [Derby Days] this year because it’s a Sigma Chi tradition, not only here at State but all over,” Foy said. “It is geared toward raising money for the Frankie Lemmon School, which is a school for children with learning disabilities.”

Katie Killoren, a junior in business management, has participated in Derby Days for three years and said she continues to help because of the fundraiser’s cause.

“I think Derby Days is a great way for everyone to come out, get involved and support the philanthropy of the Frankie Lemmon School,” Killoren said. “It’s my third year and each time has been so much fun. It gets all the girls together and it’s a great way for all the sororities to help out our community.”

Last year, Sigma Chi raised about $5,000, of which $3,500 went toward the Frankie Lemmon School and $1,500 was donated to Pete Kenney in hopes to help adopt children internationally.

“The goal this year is to at least double what we raised last year,” Foy said. “To be honest, we’re headed straight towards meeting our goal already.”

At this point in the fundraiser last year Sigma Chi had no money but this year the fraternity has already received $3,000 in donations. The money raised comes from sponsors, T-shirt sales, dance competition admissions, raffle tickets, the dance competition itself and “penny wars” — where a sorority tries to collect as many pennies as possible.

“One thing different that is better this year is that the sororities are responsible for bringing in some of the sponsors, where as last year just the brothers brought them in,” Sean McGrath, a junior in psychology and last year’s Derby Daddy, said. “This not only makes the event a more collective effort but also holds the potential of raising more money.”

The girls participated in the egg toss, four-legged race, pudding cup and tug-of-war yesterday afternoon. Each event was worth 15 points for first place, 10 for second and five for third.

“This is only my first year participating but being out there today to watch the field events was great,” Sarah Styron, a junior in business management, said. “I saw lots of energy out there and it’s all for such a great cause.”

Caroline Harrall, a junior in communication and member of yesterday’s leading sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, commented on how much fun the Sigma Chi coaches make the events.

“Derby Days is a fun way to compete with friends from different sororities but at the same time we’re all unified to raise money,” Harrall said. “The Sigma Chi coaches make the events so much fun. Our coach, Steven Stroud, is definitely the best coach to have because he brings so much enthusiasm into everything we do.”

Alpha Delta Pi finished first with 45 points followed by Pi Beta Phi with 30 points and Delta Gamma in third after earning 20 points.

Killoren said her favorite event is the line dance, which occurs on the last of the Derby Days.

“It’s probably my favorite because this seems to be the main attraction as friends and family all attend to watch the girls put on their final production,” she said.

There were more than 500 people to attend the line dance event in Nelson Hall last year, but this year the event had to be moved to Athens Drive High School. The event will take place at the high school this Sat, Feb. 25 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

“We know this is a little bit of a drive compared going to Nelson Hall, but we hope this will not deter people from attending and supporting the hard work all of us have put toward raising money for such a noble cause,” Foy said. “We look forward to a successful week and appreciate everyone’s support.”