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The underdogs swept victory in this years’ annual Homecoming Spirit Cup competition. Gamma Phi Beta, Beta Theta Pi and the Pepperdine Volunteer Center teamed up to beat the three other teams that competed. This was only one of the many surprises weaved into last week’s Homecoming celebrations.
The outcome of Spirit Cup was a shock, especially for the winners.
“It was a long shot for us to win,” said Drew Cappers, president of Beta.
Beta joined the PVC and Gamma Phi less than a week before the competition, according to PVC contestant Trent Allen.
“Nobody expected much from us,” Allen said.
The winning team began their victorious streak at the bakeoff, where their Hamburger Cake beat Psi Upsilon, Pi Beta Phi and Delta Delta Delta’s Tater Tot cookies, both of which went along with this year’s Pepperdine Dynamite theme.
“Everybody was stunned to hear us win the bakeoff,” Cappers said.
The initial bakeoff win gave their team the spirit and enthusiasm to continue to work hard throughout the rest of the week’s competitions according to Allen.
“We were working very hard,” said Diana Hernandez, a Gamma Phi Beta member. “Everybody put their part in.”
Drew Cappers said this is the most involved that Beta has ever been in homecoming. It is also the first time Beta has ever won.
“In the past we have not had very much representation,” Cappers said.
“I do not think any of the sororities wanted to do it with us.”
Beta’s high turnout may have something to do with the fact that its 18 active members recruited 22 new members this year, doubling its size.
Gamma Phi and the PVC took charge of the organization of their team, coordinating the bakeoff, Saturday’s Lip-Sync competition, as well as the T-shirt competition, while Beta’s athleticism helped the team win dodge-ball.
Though Pi Phi, Tri Delta and Psi Upsilon came in at a close second, junior Jennifer Akamine, a Pi Phi member said the Gamma-Beta-PVC win was “well deserved.”
“They really worked hard and were creative with everything that they did,” Akamine said.
Chris Van Velzer, coordinator of Homecoming week and Greek life, agreed.
“The winning team dominated throughout the week,” Van Velzer said.
Van Velzer expounded upon the rest of Homecoming as well. He said that the actual day of Homecoming was the best he has ever seen it.
Joslyn Plaza was packed with activities including caricature tables, bounce houses, food and boxing rings.
“It was definitely one fun party,” Akamine said. “It was one of the best ones since I’ve been here.”
Akamine also said she enjoyed seeing alumni at the Homecoming game and absorbing the sense of Pepperdine community.
“I liked the spirit of the Homecoming game,” Akamine said.
Akamine crowned this year’s nominated Homecoming queen, Jessica Eisenreich, during half time of the men’s basketball game against Portland. Eisenreich is an Alpha Phi and a senior senator for SGA. The winner of Homecoming King was Jack Smothers, a member of Sigma Chi and of the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council.
Aside from the game, Van Velzer also praised new additions to Homecoming day.
He said Greek alumni booths set up for the first time this year helped returning alumni re-connect on-campus.
“Greek alumni booths added a new level of hospitality,” Van Velzer said.
He also said Spirit Cup additions such as dodge-ball and Ultimate Fan, where contenders dressed up one of their members to lead their team in a cheer, were a success.
“We will probably do those again next year,” Van Velzer said.
Despite the many months of planning involved in Homecoming, there are always minor complications to the week.
One of the few glitches was its timing. Homecoming’s later placement in February conflicted with Dance-in-Flight. As a result, the Hawaii Club was unable to compete as they usually do, according to Van Velzer.
The PVC and LSA were the only other non-Greek groups to compete for the Spirit Cup.
Van Velzer pointed out that nothing about Homecoming in general is geared toward Greeks.
“We’d love to see more input from resident dorms and clubs,” Van Velzer said. He said he realized however that entry is intimidating for non-Greeks.
Non-Greek sophomore, Michaela Meyers, can attest to that.
“What is Homecoming?” Meyers said jokingly.
Meyers said she stood on the sidelines most of the week, watching Greek Life engage in the Spirit Cup competition.
“You must be extremely intentional to be involved if you are not a Greek,” Meyers said.
She said she still enjoyed Homecoming’s other offerings, however. “The band, Graham Travis, was great,” said Meyers. “I bought their CD.”
The highlight for Meyers, however, was the free ice cream.
Submitted 02-17-2005
MALIBU, CA
