Tugs, a NIU fraternity tradition for more than 40 years, began Monday night.

While one team is pulling the rope, the other team braces their feet against the trench, sometimes nearly on their backs, to keep from giving up any length that could cost them the match.

Attendees wore T-shirts and sweatshirts to show support for their favorite fraternity. They crowded the sidelines as they erupted in cheers of acceptance and groans of defeat throughout the night.

Despite the cold, sophomore nursing major Monica Perez said she enjoyed the event.

“I decided to come because my sister-in-law went here and she said it was really fun to see,” Perez said. “Also, some of the guys from my floor are here and I wanted to cheer them on.”

Lucas Marinello, sophomore special education major and member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, participated in Tugs for the second time since coming to NIU.

“Tugs is a sport of survival of the fittest,” Marinello said. “Whoever wants it more is going to take it.”

Marinello said he enjoyed his team’s win.

“I’ve done competitive sports all my life,” Marinello said. “There’s no feeling like it.”

Marinello said he decided to participate again because he likes the chance to prove himself.

Sophomore accounting major Brian Anderson said training for his team began in January and it felt great to have all his hard work and dedication pay off in a win.

Nine participants per team stand in a 2×2 pit called a “trench,” which allows each team member to brace their feet for better leverage.

The goal of Tugs is to pull the 100 foot-long rope away from the other team in twenty minutes or less. The shortest members are usually in front, while the tallest members tug in the back.

While one team is pulling the rope, the other team braces their feet against the trench, sometimes nearly on their backs, to keep from giving up any length of the rope.

In addition to team members, four coaches are allowed on site. The coach urges the players when and how hard to pull the rope.

Teams are set up to play each other in a bracket-like style, with a few teams at a time continuously advancing until two teams are left to compete at the night.

The official rules of Tugs say only undergraduate students are allowed to participate. Although Tugs is open to all students, only fraternities have participated for the last few years, according to Tugs’ official Facebook page.