Gamma Phi Crescent Classic Draws Large Crowd

Gamma Phi Beta held their first Crescent Classic Soccer Tournament this past Sunday, April 19. Taking place from 12 to 4 p.m. on Whitnall Field, the charity event consisted of 24 teams competing for prizes donated by Hamilton’s local businesses. Teams of five to seven students, faculty or staff members were allowed to participate, paying five dollars per person. Some teams were also sponsored by friends, and many people not affiliated with a specific team also donated to the cause. In addition to the prizes, many businesses contributed money to the fundraiser.

All of the proceeds are to be donated to Madison County Children’s Camp, which sends girls to camp who would otherwise be unable to afford the excursion.

“Many of these girls are below the poverty line,” Gammi Phi’s Philanthropy Chair, sophomore Amy Gould, said, “and this is a chance for them to get away. They learn a lot of leadership, problem solving… skills they can learn at camp.”

According to Gould, the sorority raised at least $1,200 from the event. And this amount may increase, as Gamma Phi International has a foundation that supplements what their individual branches have raised by roughly 60% of the original amount. It is estimated that Gammi Phi Beta will be able to send about ten girls to camp this year.

“It was a huge undertaking to come up with something new,” Gould said. “We hadn’t done a sports tournament in the past.”

As Philanthropy Chair, Gould has been working on the event since winter vacation ended in January. The tournament was a success thanks to the help of many people; those who had played soccer before helped those with less experience plan the event, and the faculty, staff and community members involved in the event were also very helpful.

People came together over more than just soccer, as there was also a barbeque and music at the tournament.

“At least thirty to fifty people just came to enjoy it,” Gould said of the barbeque.

When asked about the overall outcome of the tournament, Gould expressed her hopes that the event would be continued next year.

“It was fun to try to get as many people involved as possible. It would be cool to see it become a tradition; we got so much participation,” Gould said.