DeKALB — Men’s Tugs is back in action for its 36th annual competition Monday through Thursday, taking place in the field behind University Plaza.

Phi Sigma Kappa pulled off a shocking upset over Phi Kappa Theta last year to win the NIU 2018 Tugs Tournament. Phi Kappa Theta had won for multiple years in a row, including winning over Phi Sigma Kappa in the 2017 tournament. Phi Sigma Kappa currently holds the No. 1 seed.

The first match is set for 3:30 p.m. Monday featuring Phi Kappa Psi against Sigma Alpha Mu. The final match of the first day kicks off 5:30 p.m. with Phi Kappa Theta taking on Delta Chi.

Delta Chi President and Interfraternity Council member Kevin Moore has faith in Delta Chi and believes they will succeed this year.

“Coming into Tugs, we want to prove people wrong,” Moore said. “We may not be the biggest or most experienced tuggers, but that can change any given year. We want to continue to feed off the people that tell us we can’t [win].”

At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sigma Nu faces off against Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Following that match at 5:00 p.m., Phi Sigma Kappa will compete against Alpha Sigma Phi.

Sigma Nu Tugs coach Devin McCormick is excited for Tugs and the experience it brings to those who participate.

“Tugs is my favorite thing about NIU,” McCormick said. “The team is really a brotherhood within the fraternity and does a lot to bring the house together regardless of whether you’re on a team or not.”

The matches continue Wednesday through Saturday with a break on Friday.

All money raised goes toward Camp Kesem, an organization that, according to their website, holds a week-long camp in the summer for kids whose parents are dealing with cancer. The champions will be crowned 2 p.m. Saturday.