“Straighten your legs!” “Adjusted!” “Nice job girls!”

These are the kind of yells you can expect to hear up and down Greek Row for the next couple weeks as sororities prepare for women’s tugs.

Women’s tugs is an annual philanthropy event sponsored by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (Pikes). The competition, which will be held Oct. 26 and 27, consists of a tug of war between eight women per team in each sorority. Sixteen members total are needed to practice.

The winners of the first round of tugs are determined by the best two out of three tugs between each sorority. The tugs last ten minutes each and the winner is the team that has pulled the center of the rope closer to its side when the time runs out.

The championship tug match has no time limit, and the winner has to take all of the rope from the other team.

Women’s tugs is very similar to men’s tugs, a philanthropic event held in the spring semester and sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon.

“The only difference is that there are eleven members per rope for men’s tugs,” said Chris Mancilla, a sophomore OMIS major and women’s tug coach.

Women’s tugs begin with grueling practices supervised by four to five Pike coaches per team.

“Sororities start preparing for tugs a month in advance,” said Jim Kelly, a junior management major and women’s tugs coordinator. “The girls have to go out there every night and be willing to put themselves in pain.”

During the two hour practices, the coaches teach the women the basic moves needed to prepare for competition.

“We teach them hits, which is pulling on the rope; and hanging, where they raise themselves up in the air to get more of the rope to come down on their side,” said Kelly. “All the coaches are teaching the same thing. Whoever teaches it better and whichever team adapts and learns quicker will win.”

Distance running, sprints, sit-ups and push-ups also are performed in practice to help the women build up their endurance.

Along with a knowledge of the basic moves, tuggers need certain items to help them and to make sure they don’t injure themselves.

“They use a pad for where the rope rests on their arm, a towel to prevent any chaffing, and lots of duct tape to hold everything together,” Kelly said.

Both coaches and participating tuggers agree that dedication, teamwork, physical fitness and the right attitude are qualities needed to excel in women’s tugs.

“It’s about so much more than just being in a sorority,” said Christine Gulino, a junior special education major and an Alpha Delta Pi tugger.

Tuggers agree that team bonding is one of the best things about tugging.

“You have to learn how to be a team and support each other,” said Sarah Danielson, a junior communication major and tugger for Sigma Sigma Sigma. “There are some really hard times, but in the end it’s very gratifying.”

Tuggers offered some advice for other women participating in the competition.

“You have to give 110% everyday,” said Amanda Hopkins, a junior psychology major and an Alpha Delta Pi tugger. “You have to believe in yourself and push yourself harder.”

Danielson offered her own advice.

“If you have the love for it then stick it out until the end. And make sure you get your arm pad on straight,” she said.