Members of Alpha Sigma Tau held their annual Back to School Hoops philanthropic event, which raised almost $2,000 for breast cancer research. Back to School Hoops was held on Nov. 18 in the Ehinger gym.
“Each sister [of the sorority] was responsible for making a three to four member team which paid $30 to play,” Kate DiLello, president of Alpha Sigma Tau, said.
Over 40 teams consisting of members from Sigma Pi, Delta Zeta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon competed. Not all of the teams were Greek, other WCU organizations participated as well.
Katie Rose, the coordinator of Back to School Hoops, spent most of her fall semester planning for this event. She collected many donations and got sponsors to help make the event as successful as it was.
“With the money from the teams, raffles and other donations, we raised almost $2,000 to give to breast cancer research in honor of Amy Hashkowitz,” DiLello said.
Hashkowitz was a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau and died of breast cancer in the late 90s. Since then, the sorority has held the Back to School Hoops tournament in her memory.
“I think that it is a great way to get support out there for a good cause, and I feel like this is a way that our chapter can get not only Greeks, but the entire campus involved in raising money to support Amy,” Philanthropy Chair of Alpha Sigma Tau, Jessica Todd-Marrone, said.
Back to School Hoops is the biggest philanthropic event Alpha Sigma Tau holds each year. It means a lot to all the sisters to hold such a successful event because breast cancer is something that affects so many people and is such a devastating disease.
“Our chapter was thankful to the other Greek Organizations who came out and showed their support, whether it was with a team or donation,” DiLello said. “I think no matter how tired people were at the end of the day, we had a lot of fun and knew it was all for an amazing cause.”
Kait Bradley, vice president of Alpha Sigma Tau, has thought of some new ideas for next year’s Back to School Hoops tournament and hopes to continue their success with the event and maintain the encouraging support.
Lindsay Heil is a fourth-year student majoring in professional studies with minors in health science and journalism. She can be reached at LH589265@wcupa.edu.