Saturday marked the end of Sigma Chi’s annual Derby Days event, and while the money is still being counted, its event planners have deemed it a great success.

Sigma Chi Quaestor Rick Bosley, who is charge of finances, estimated that monies raised for the event could total more than $14,000, an increase of almost $2,000 since last year’s event.

“I think the event was a great success,” Bosley said.

Bosley credited the event’s success to the coordinated efforts of many of Sac State’s Greek community, private donations and local business involvement.

The event was such a success for Sigma Chi and the Panhellenic sororities on campus- including Phi Sigma Sigma, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, Chi Delta, Sigma Kappa and Delta Gamma – that the event may be moving to a new location due to sold out ticket sales, Bosley said.

The event has traditionally been held at the Crest Theatre, located downtown on K Street. The success has sparked an interest in moving the event to the Memorial Auditorium, Bosley said.

“We’re very optimistic about the future of (Derby Days),” Bosley said.

Sigma Chi President Paul Houser said he was proud of his fraternity’s involvement this year.

“For Sigma Chi, we have high importance placed on community relations,” Houser said. “We were influenced not only by the international fraternities, but it’s something we do to be involved with the community.”

The event raised money for the Huntsman Cancer Research Institute and the Children’s Miracle Network.

The Huntsman Cancer Research Institute researches better cancer treatments, cures, detection and prevention to better understand cancer at molecular and genetic levels while Children’s Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for a number of injuries and illnesses.

This year’s Derby Days included three events, starting with a hat chase in which Sigma Chi brothers wore hats and sorority sisters had to steal the hats from the men to turn them in for points.

There was also a coin drive in which sororities competed to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Research Institute and the Children’s Miracle Network.

“It gets really competitive,” Houser said. “But it’s all for charity so I don’t see a problem with the event.”

The final event was Derby Sing, a dance recital/lip sync performed at the Crest Theatre, where Phi Sigma Sigma took first place, Gamma Phi Beta took second and Delta Gamma placed third.

This year the fraternity and sororities each started planning earlier than usual for the event, Bosley said.

The event usually starts mid-November, but this year the event didn’t kick off until Dec. 4, which Bosley said was a result of double booking on the part of the Crest Theatre Bosley said.

Derby Days is boasting its 20th anniversary and has been a staple in the Sigma Chi community ever since, Bosley said.

Josh Staab can be reached at [email protected].