Story by Carolyn Wright
Six sororities at New Mexico State University battled it out on the intramural football fields Sunday to help the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces.
The PIKE Powder Puff Football Tournament is a philanthropy event, in which teams pay an entry fee of $100 to participate in flag football games. All proceeds from the event went toward helping the Boys & Girls Club, PIKE’s local charitable organization.
Money raised
According to PIKE’s philanthropy chairman, the fraternity raised approximately $3,200 last year. The total amount of money from this year’s tournament will be determined closer to the end of the month.
“The best part about hosting the Powder Puff Tournament is giving back to the Boys & Girls Club. Plus, it’s fun to watch the girls play football,” said Ethan Maestas, an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha.
The annual PIKE Powder Puff Tournament kicked off at 10 a.m. in a double elimination bracket.
Let the games begin!
Chi Omega coaches, Joey Santoro (left) and Lucas Otero (right), provide words of encouragement from the sidelines during a round one game. (Photo by Carolyn Wright)
Delta Zeta played Delta Gamma in round one of tournament play, while Alpha Xi Delta and Chi Omega competed on the adjacent field. Zeta Tau Alpha and Pi Beta Phi were both granted a BYE for the first round.
Losing teams would drop into the losers’ bracket. The championship game was played between the top qualifiers from both the winners’ and the losers’ brackets.
After hours of rigorous play, Chi Omega defeated Delta Gamma to advance into the championship game. Zeta Tau Alpha conquered Pi Beta Phi and earned a spot in the championship game, as well.
“My organization trains for this event for at least one month, and we are excited for it all year,” Mandi Cordova, safety for Zeta Tau Alpha, said. ”Playing in the tournament is a lot of fun, but the fact that you are playing to support the Boys & Girls Club is definitely the best part.”
Undefeated Chi Omega players hold up one finger indicating they are "No. 1" after clinching the championship title. (Photo by Carolyn Wright)
Chi Omega won the Powder Puff Tournament 19-6.
“The best part was having fun with my sisters and our coaches and seeing our hard work pay off – and helping out with PIKE’s philanthropy of course,” said Kyla Hollister, a player on Chi Omega’s championship team.
