On Sunday, Sept. 21, Mizzou Tri Delta held their biggest philanthropy event of the year, the annual Triple Play softball tournament benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The skies beamed blue and the sun shined bright as 42 fraternity teams took to the fields with their game faces on, and ready to compete. They would spend the day playing against one another to earn the title of Triple Play Champions.
At Triple Play, Tri Delta members coach and cheer on the various fraternity men participating in the tournament. Music is played loudly while teams batter-up on the six different fields of the complex, all hoping that they are not eliminated from the oh-so-intimidating Triple Play bracket.
All funds raised at Triple Play are donated to St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Tri Delta’s national philanthropy. Located in
Memphis, St. Jude supports children with cancer and other serious
illnesses by providing them with some of the best medical care in the country -- free of charge.
For junior Lamda, Chi Zach Elmore, this is his third
consecutive year participating in Triple Play. “Today is always a lot of fun. We all love baseball and
it benefits St. Jude, which is important,” Elmore said. "We know it means a lot
to Tri Delta and everyone who participates.”
Sophomore, Sigma Chi Will Yarborough, also expressed his
enjoyment in playing in the tournament. “We’re helping a great cause. We’re doing it for the kids,
and at the same time, it’s awesome for us to come out and play,” Yarborough
stated.
For Tri Delta Philanthropy Chair Jordan McNab, Triple Play
is more than just fun and games. “Triple Play is one of my favorite events that we do because
we always get a great turnout. I know it’s just a softball tournament, but it
means so much more than that. We are raising so much for St. Jude, right now,”
McNab explained.
When I asked McNab what her favorite part of the day was,
she immediately answered with a heartfelt response. “Because it’s parent’s weekend, a bunch of families came to
the fields to watch today. A dad came up to me and said, ‘St. Jude is really
close to my heart and I think it’s great what you’re doing, so I want to make a
donation on behalf of your chapter.’ He handed me a check for $500. It was
moving -- I couldn’t believe it. It’s people like that who really make this day
special,” McNab said.
As always, Triple Play 2014 was a successful day of friendly
competition and fundraising. A Sigma Chi team was named champions, this year,
with a Farmhouse team in close second.
The women of Tri Delta are truly thankful
to all fraternity men who came out to participate. And, without question, so
are the children of St. Jude.