For one week, seven sororities from Sacramento State participated in Derby Days, an annual event hosted by the Sigma Chi fraternity to raise money for charity.

The fraternity’s philanthropy raised at least $14,000 this year, although by press time the fraternity and Golden One Bank were still clearing checks and accepting donations, so a final amount could not be released, said Kevin Eastman, event coordinator.

When the final amount is tallied, half of the money raised will go to the Children’s Miracle Network and the other half will go to the Hunt’s Cancer Institute.

Sororities competed in a Derby Chase on Oct. 24. In this game, each sorority earns points for stealing a special hat designed by Sigma Chi.

The sororities joined in Coach Dress Up on Oct. 26. In this event the sororities competed in a contest of who dressed up a designated fraternity member the best.

These sororities cornered off a section of the campus for these activities in the beginning of the week.

Friday night, the Crest Theatre on K Street was filled with Halloween decorations and music as participates walked in and out of the theater carrying parts of background sets.

During this activity called Derby Sing, each of the seven sororities lip sync and dance to well-known songs. Sigma Chi members danced as partners for all of the sororities.

The fraternity also helped build the props and stage decorations for each of the sororities.Brandon Kline, the president of Sigma Chi, said, “Our goal is to raise $15,000 for charity this year, but we want to get at least $10,000.”

Gamma Phi Beta’s performance was choreographed by their activities chairwoman, Kim Tresca. The sorority danced to several numbers, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Rick James’ “Superfreak,” and Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash.”

“This year, Gamma Phi Beta not only won the Derby Sing, but also the Derby Days competition,” said Eastman, who was also “Derby Daddy.”

The Derby Darling of 2005 was Tresca. She said this is the second straight year of Gamma Phi Beta winning Derby Days, and the fourth year of the group winning Derby Sing.

Sigma Chi founded Derby Days in the 1910s at the University of California, Berkeley. It started out as a small skit event for the fraternity and their friends and family members. Eventually, it became a group event that included the community.

In previous years, a trophy had been recreated every year for each winner. This year one trophy will be made, and the winning sorority’s name will be engraved on the trophy. In next year’s Derby Days, the Derby Darling will pass down the trophy to the winning sorority.

“This is the one event that we look forward to every year,” Tresca said “We love it.”

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]