This weekend, Syracuse University’s faithful greek brothers and sisters of years past will pepper campus and visit their respective fraternity or sorority houses.

It’s homecoming weekend. And that means alumni are back on the Hill.

Greek organizations on campus have events scheduled to demonstrate to alumni that current greek students know how to create a great atmosphere for a good cause.

‘We take this very seriously, and we do a good job of preparing every year. This being my first homecoming on IFC, I’m looking forward to everything; it should be a lot of fun,’ said Zach Friedman, a brother at Theta Chi and chair of Interfraternity Council public relations.

The Homecoming Cup Competitions is one of the many highlighted events of the weekend, said Matt Abdifar, IFC vice president of external affairs. It will be held Friday at noon at Skytop on South Campus until 2 p.m.

The Cup will include six events such as an orange hunt, orange toss, orange squeeze, dizzy bats and other physical tests. After the scores are totaled, the competitor with the most points will be awarded the Homecoming Cup, Abdifar said.

Saturday, Delta Delta Delta will hold its second annual pancake breakfast at 300 Walnut Park, scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. Admission costs $5 for adults and $3 for children. The proceeds will go toward the benefit of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Festivities for Homecoming weekend do not stop after Saturday’s football game against Rutgers University.

Sunday, Gamma Phi Beta will hold the first ‘Mr. SU’ competition. Contestants will be judged in four separate categories.

‘This year, we have members from IFC, Pan-Hellenic, LGC and other student organizations, and it’s a great way for these diverse groups to come together and have a good time for a good cause,’ said Lissy Birnie, president of Gamma Phi Beta, in a press release.

The prevailing organization will win a free party catered by Moe’s Southwest Grill. Runners-up will receive gift certificates for Moe’s as well.

The event’s proceeds will go to Camp Good Days and Special Times, a camp for children affected by terminal diseases.

Individual greek houses will provide more personal enjoyment for their guests.

‘We sent out a newsletter to our alumni inviting them over to the house,’ said Mark Giarrusso, president of Delta Kappa Epsilon. ‘Some of the alumni like to come over before the football game and hang out. It’s nothing formal, but we try and show them a good time while they’re here.’

Theta Chi brothers are planning a barbeque to welcome their alumni.

‘We’re planning on having a barbecue for our alumni, some steaks and all that. One of our brothers is trying to get steaks sent up from his parents’ restaurant. It should be a good time for our alumni,’ Friedman said.

While the fraternities are busy with their plans for their alumni, sororities are taking more official approaches to ensure their guests have an enjoyable time while visiting their alma mater.

‘We have house tours that are set up to show alumni that we’re doing a good job of keeping up with the house. We want to show them that we are still going strong and making the house the best it can be,’ said Erica Matson, chair of public relations at Kappa Alpha Theta.

Published on October 10, 2007 at 12:00 pm