By Sally Ann Moyer
Reporter
Baylor’s Zeta chapter of Delta Epsilon Psi is hosting its fifth annual Sugar Free Bowl April 2 and 3 at the Westmore Intramural Field by the Baylor Sciences Building.
Sugar Free Bowl is a seven on seven flag football double-elimination tournament to raise money and awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is Delta Epsilon Psi’s national philanthropy.
During the fall semester, the Zeta chapter raised $5,000 for the foundation, Sugar Land senior Maulik Patel said.
Last year’s Sugar Free Bowl raised more than $2,000, Patel said.
“More than that is the goal for this year, which should happen because we already have more teams than last year with more expected to sign up,” Bentonville, Ark., freshman Ankur Pradhan said.
The event supports the foundation and increases awareness of Delta Epsilon Psi’s presence on campus.
“The purpose of the Sugar Free Bowl is mainly to bring awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and also to put our name out there because a lot of people haven’t heard about our fraternity,” Pradhan said.
Sugar Free Bowl began at the University of Texas in Nov. 2002 with the founding chapter of Delta Epsilon Psi.
“One of our brothers who passed away had diabetes. We wanted to remember him for what he did. It was first started at UT-Austin, which is where he went,” Patel said.
The event now occurs at chapters across the country.
“We just continue his legacy with almost 30 chapters all over the nation now. We come to this event to remember him,” Patel said.
Sugar Free Bowl is also open to spectators.
“Energy drinks will be provided for participants and there should be bleachers for people to watch,” Houston senior and Delta Epsilon Psi member TJ Sihra said.
Sugar Free Bowl will include separate men’s and women’s brackets with the winning team from each bracket receiving a $500 cash prize.
“Something new this year is that the winner will also get a banner in front of the SLC to brag about it,” Patel said.
Any group of students is eligible to form a team, even if not affiliated with a particular student organization.
“Often teams are just random people, dorm students,” Sihra said.
The men of Delta Epsilon Psi host two major tournament events each academic year, one per semester.
“Who’s Got Game is our basketball tournament that is essentially the same event, but held annually every fall semester,” Sihra said.
Teams of seven to 10 members can register online through Tuesday at www.depsizeta.org/sfb.
Registration is $100 per team, including a T-shirt for each registered team member.