As the Huskies prepare to compete for a Homecoming victory, NIU fraternities and sororities are completing their own series of activities and competitions and are preparing to welcome back alumni this weekend.

Fraternities and sororities pair up and participate in competitive activities this week for which they receive points. After the spirit contest at the end of the week, points are accumulated and first-, second- and third-place trophies are awarded.

“A main focus of this year’s sporting events is to not only bring the Greek community into Homecoming, but also numerous other non-greek organizations,” said Mike Johnson, Office of Campus Recreation sports coordinator.

“We hope to see the excitement from our OCR events spill over to enthusiasm for our successful NIU Huskie Football team,” he added.

Greeks also will be participating in spirit-generating activities like the “Yell Like Hell” competition, slated for 7 p.m. Thursday in the Chick Evans Fieldhouse. “Yell Like Hell” is a group cheering competition between student organizations.

Greek and non-Greek organizations will design banners which will be judged and displayed at the Homecoming game. The groups also will participate in a spirit contest at the Homecoming parade.

NIU Greek Adviser Jeff Cufaude said, “The Greeks have had a longstanding tradition of participating in homecoming events. They may be one of the most visible groups on campus, but Homecoming is for the entire university and we encourage participation from everyone.”

Homecoming coordinator Linda Germann said, “I think it’s great that the Greeks are so involved in Homecoming. They really add a lot of spirit.”

Some fraternities and sororities participate with returning alumni in traditional Homecoming events exclusive to their chapters. Matt Burton, alumni operations director for Sigma Phi Epsilon, said, “Every year we have a tackle football game against our alums.”

Burton said the Huskies football game will be an important part of this year’s alumni celebration. “This year we are going to watch the Huskies play first and then play our game. We want to help our alumni remember that in addition to being Sig Ep alumni, they are also NIU alumni.”

Alex Pope, president of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity, said, “This is the busiest time of the year for us. Even though we are a smaller house, we still love to participate in all of the events. We look forward to competing with the other houses, but most of all to seeing our returning alumni.”