The grunts and shouts at times can be heard more than a block away. And when they run down the street, traffic comes to a virtual standstill.

For anyone who has ventured on to Greek Row between 10 p.m. and midnight during the past five weeks, the sight and sounds of fraternities practicing for tugs are common. What goes on in those practices is a combination of pulling on a rope, running around the Row and getting injured.

While pulling on the rope, tuggers usually compete against each other, imitating moves, situations and calls they are likely to face in competition, only in practice, it’s a lot longer. While matches for this week’s competition are set for 20 minutes a piece, tuggers at a recent Pi Kappa Alpha practice faced off for nearly two hours, with few breaks. And that amount of work is common in practice, said Pike caller Jim Kelly, a senior history major.

While on the ropes, tuggers try to master techniques and calls they will face in a match.

The calls are sometimes confusing because there are so many, said James Vasilakos, a junior economics major and Tau Kappa Epsilon tugger.

Time spent on a rope is usually followed by running, which is not as strenuous as hanging on a rope, but the long runs are equally disliked by tuggers.

“My favorite part is not running,” said Jeremy Preuss, a senior business major at Kishwaukee College and Tau Kappa Epsilon tugger.

“The run afterward sucks,” he added.

Preuss stays in it, however, because he likes the intensity that comes with tugs.

“It’s like high school football. You want to be out there,” Preuss said.

The intensity that many tuggers enjoy can help them through practice, especially when dealing with injuries, or at least temporarily forget about them.

A few weeks ago, Dave Schultz, a senior physical education major and Tau Kappa Epsilon tugger, remembers waking up with appendix pain. In the following days he would have his appendix taken out. Just nine days later, Schultz was back on the rope, practicing for the Tekes.

Schultz is not positive that the problems with his appendix came from tugging, but he thinks the constant pressure on his abdomen might have had something to do with it.

Injuries from practice are not rare.

It’s keeping the tuggers from injuries that’s hard, said Dan Shepard, a sophomore finance major and first rope caller for Tau Kappa Epsilon.

In addition to the almost nightly practices, many tuggers are required to work out during the day to stay in shape. The whole process can almost consume their lives, said a Pi Kappa Alpha tugger during a recent practice.

But if they want to do well, they need to practice.

“We have to work for it,” said Keith Hall, a graduate student in accounting and Delta Chi caller. “We took last place last year … We don’t want to take last place again.”