Members of several Greek sororities on campus will compete in the annual Tugs tournament, a giant tug-of-war championship, today and Saturday.

Women’s Tugs is a tradition that has been at NIU for at least 10 years and is hosted by Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, said Jason Joyce, a coach of the Alpha Delta Pi team. For the past 10 years, the tournament has been the Pikes’ primary philanthropy.

Starting in early September, NIU’s sororities practice to battle each other in a tug-of-war to raise funds for the Cancer Foundation of Chicago, Joyce said.

For a fee of $125, sororities and other groups can enter teams of eight to 16 girls, with all proceeds going to the foundation.

Practices usually are held four or five days a week and there are usually morning and evening practices.

Participants train for about two and a half hours in the morning, waking up at 6 a.m. some days, and then have night practice that often carries on until the early hours of the morning. Practices usually consist of rigorous drills and activities that demand performance from the competitors, Joyce said.

Tugs is unlike any other workout, said Erin Ferrell, a senior member of Alpha Delta Pi.

“It’s the biggest adrenaline rush ever, and it’s even better when you see all that hard work pay off in the end,” Ferrell said.

Coaches of the teams spend about $200 on athletic tape and other necessities for the team, said Andy Gaeth, Alpha Delta Pi sophomore coach and active Pi Kappa Alpha member.

Technique, rather than strength, is better for ensuring a win.

“With the girls, there is a lot of technique involved, as well as speed,” Gaeth said.

The event costs $6 to attend today and $8 for the championship on Saturday. Students will receive a $1 discount if they bring in canned goods for local food shelters. All matches will be held at the Pike House, 900 Greenbrier Road.

This year’s events promise to draw a large crowd, said Tom Tucker, active Pi Kappa Alpha member.

“This is a great opportunity for not only the girls involved, but for the charities that all of the earnings go to, so it is a great opportunity for everyone,” Tucker said.