Springfest and Homecoming go hand in hand, at least in the case of greeks.

Much like the fall festival, NIU fraternities and sororities will compete for trophies in various events this week.

“Springfest is like Homecoming,” said Interfraternity Council President Rob Martin. “There’s a part where you show school spirit and support, but in Springfest there’s also a desire to win.”

Heidi Picard, Panhellenic Council vice-president of public relations, said sororities are participating in volleyball, softball, 3K and 10K runs, golf, surprise events, pyramids, bed races and bike races.

Fraternities are participating in the same events as the sororities, but replace the volleyball tournament with soccer, Martin said.

Gary Raczek, IFC vice president of activities, said the Campus Activities Board organizes the events, but IFC and PHC have their own point system for determining winners of the IFC/PHC Springfest trophy.

Raczek said the winners of the competitive events receive 20 points for first place, 17 for second, and 15 for third. Groups who participate and do not place receive 10 points, he said.

Groups also receive 10 points for participating in the noncompetitive events, which are the blood drive, bed races, golf and the surprise events, Raczek said.

The blood drive is sponsored by IFC and PHC, but anyone “is more than welcome to give,” he said.

Although “tugs” between fraternities occur during Springfest, they are not sponsored by NIU or IFC, Martin said. “The university feels there is too much liability with tugs,” he said.