CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte athletics began the first-annual partnership with Greek life on campus in order to promote basketball games and local philanthropies during the 2009-10 season. The Sports Marketing Association (SMA) spearheaded this project and helped the chapters promote these games.
Each Greek chapter was asked to raise awareness for the home basketball contest, their respective house, and also to raise money and support for a variety of local causes. The local philanthropies included Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Cancer Society (Coaches vs. Cancer), Make-A-Wish Foundation, Kay Yow Foundation, and the Live Strong Foundation.
The Greeks created posters to display at the games and wore their letters to represent their respective chapter at each event. SMA made game day announcements to further strengthen the message. Each chapter collected change in the common area right outside the gym during the women’s and men’s basketball games which directly benefited the local philanthropies.
The chapter with the most Queens student attendance received a $50 donation for their Greek organization and the chapter that was able to raise the most for their respective philanthropy received $50 for their chapter.
ADPi was the first chapter to participate in this partnership at the Lees-McRae game on January 21, promoting the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. The members of this Greek chapter sold Ronald McDonald dolls and accepted donations.
“This was a really good way to raise money for our philanthropy and to get support from the school,” Vice President of ADPi, Amelia Farmer stated. “ ADPi would love to continue this partnership with the SMA, especially since the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte will be open by next Christmas."
Kappa Delta followed suit and was at the Erskine game on January 25, raising awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Phi Kappa Sigma promoted the Belmont Abbey game on February 6, and the cause was the a dual effort with American Cancer Society and their national movement of Coaches vs. Cancer.
Chi Omega was assigned to the St. Andrews game on February 8, and they promoted the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The chapter gave out can huggies to each person who gave a donation. During half time, they showed the fans posters of several different people whose wish was granted through the program.
Against Anderson on February 15, Phi Mu and AKA were on hand to bring awareness to the Kay Yow Foundation and breast cancer. They set up a mini putting range for participants and awarded prizes for any participant who hit a hole in one. During the Anderson game the Grateful Heart Award was announced. The Grateful Heart Award is presented to anyone who is, or has, courageously battling breast cancer in honor of the legacy to Kay Yow.
The last, but not least, chapter to promote Queens basketball and a local philanthropic organization was Pi Kappa Phi at the Mount Olive game on February 24. They promoted the Live Strong Foundation.
Raising $232 at the first game of the contest, ADPI won for the most donations. Having the most student attendance at the game was Phi Sigma Kappa with 123 students at the Belmont Abbey game. Overall Queens raised $735 for local charities throughout the season.
“I am very pleased with the partnership we have created with the Greek organizations at Queens,” SMA’s Vice President Cecilia Tchangoue stated, “We were really able to raise awareness of the games and philanthropies on campus. It was exciting to see so much attendance at the basketball games.”
This partnership with Queens athletics and local philanthropies will continue in the upcoming years.