Fraternity co-sponsors local shelter

For junior Johnny Ho, philanthropy chair of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, it seemed only natural to support the Middleway House, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence.\n"I feel really strongly that it's a horrible crime for women or children to be battered and abused," he said. \nHo kept his convictions in mind while collaborating with juniors Abbey Nimmer and Erin Mcnees, philanthropy co-chairs of Gamma Phi Beta, on the sorority\'s tenth annual three-on-three basketball tournament. This is the first time that a fraternity is co-sponsoring the fundraiser, which will be held 9 a.m. Saturday in the Ora L. Wildermuth Intramural Center. \n"We wanted to do this with a fraternity," Mcnees said. "It's easier to market a sorority fundraiser if another greek organization is involved, and the guys at SAE have been amazing."\nShe also confirmed that this also the first year the tournament, which also includes free throw and three-point shot competitions, will occur during the spring semester.\n"The spring is a great time to put on something like this because we have a whole new pledge class that can participate," she said. "That gives us access to students living in the dorms who can form more teams."\nNimmer said half of the proceeds will go toward the Middleway House and the other half will be donated to the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation, a charity run by the national sorority that sends underprivileged children to summer camps. She said 20 teams have registered to participate and hopes that figure will double by Saturday.\n"I would encourage anyone to sign up with friends to play in the tournament, or shoot free throws and three-pointers," she said. "This is a great way for different campus and community organizations to come together for a great cause."\nNimmer explained that more teams can sign up today and Saturday morning for a fee of $40, and the winners will receive a framed portrait of the IU men's basketball team that has been autographed by all of its players. \nShe said anyone can participate in the free-throw and three-point basket contests by donating one dollar, and winners will be rewarded with coupons and prize packages from local businesses such as Pizza Express. All spectators and participants can also purchase T-shirts for $10.\nHo, who participated in the basketball tournament last year, said SAE and G Phi B might work together on the event next year.\n"This may very well become an annual event for both houses," he said. "What's great is that people can come together for a good cause and have fun at the same time."\nSophomore Casey Holsapple, vice president of campus relations for the Interfraternity Council, said that events like the tournament demonstrate that greek organizations are eager to socialize with other groups.\n"We're trying to use these events as a way to go outside the greek community and interact with the rest of the campus," he said.