Members of Greek organizations all over campus turned out Sunday night at the Duke Ellington Ballroom for the conclusion of the week-long Anchor Splash event.

Anchor Splash 2001, sponsored by the Delta Gamma sorority, pitted 25 different fraternities and sororities on 10 different teams against each other in a variety of events. Lambda Chi Alpha and Alpha Delta Phi combined for first place overall.

“This is the biggest event for the Greek community second semester,” said Debbie VonOehsen, a junior elementary education major and Delta Gamma member. “Teams practiced all week.”

Anchor Splash began last Monday with the “most beautiful eyes” competition and concluded Sunday night with the lip-sync contest. Other events included swimming relays, synchronized swimming and Mr and Mrs. Anchor Splash. Point totals from each event are added up to determine a winner. The top three teams are each awarded trophies for their efforts.

Anchor Splash is sponsored by Delta Gamma sororities all over the country.

The event has been at NIU since the ’70s, said Jamie Rose, a sophomore special education major and Anchor Splash director.

“I think it’s like a mini-homecoming for the spring,” Rose said. “It’s one of the biggest philanthropies on campus.”

The swimming and water-themed events come from Delta Gamma’s mascot, the anchor, VonOehsen said.

“And the lip-syncing is just fun to do,” she added.

Proceeds from the event will go to benefit Service for Sight, which provides aid to the blind.

This year’s goal was to raise $2,000, and an increased amount of Greek organizations participating will be helpful this year, Rose said.

“There are six houses who haven’t been in it before,” Rose said. “It’s great when you can get as many people involved as we can, since it’s for charity.”