Sigma Nu has been participating in Tugs for at least the past seven years, placing as high as third in 2012 and fourth in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Like other Greek fraternities, Sigma Nu holds a wearying preparation for Tugs season. Members go through mental and physical stress in the process of working toward their end goal of winning the entire tournament each spring.

The fraternity, founded at NIU in 1970, follows its warm-ups with what is called a ‘Greek Mile,’ where members run throughout the entire perimeter of Greek Row before returning back to their house on Greenbrier Road.

Next, the tuggers get on the ropes where they pull each other up into hangs and practice pinch work, which is making sure their armpits are clamped down on the rope. From there, they try different scenarios where one side has the advantage and the other side is trying to take it from them. They also will do what is called a ‘live’ where the first and second ropes have a match against each other. Those matches can last anywhere from five to 20 minutes and the intensity depends on how long the match is.

Tyler Denham, sophomore Sigma Nu member and new member educator, said certain team members decide to diet to make sure they make it to the average weight.

“Usually about two weeks before a match, that’s when we really clean up the diet,” Denham said. “All the tuggers go on a ‘no drinking’ policy — no one’s allowed to drink for those two weeks or [during] the match week.”

Denham said he is personally excited to face Tau Kappa Epsilon because he has a few buddies in their house and the two organizations are neighbors.

“We have a really good relationship with them, so it’d be cool to go out there and face your friend in a sport and beat them,” he said. “Once we’re on the rope, we’re not friends, but afterwards, we’ll be good again.”

Denham tugged in all three matches last year and is excited to get back on the ropes this year.

“It’s awesome to go and rep your letters in front of the entire Greek community and put on a show,” Denham said.