The men of Pi Lambda Phi decided to unify students in the best way they know how: a basketball tournament.
The basketball tournament is part of Pi Lambda Phi’s philanthropy, the Elimination of Prejudice Foundation (EOP).
“We came up with the basketball tournament because our brothers have met so many people from different walks of life on the court and have made lots of friends all from a simple game,” Ferris marketing senior and Vice President of Pi Lambda Phi Chris Smith said.
EOP is a call to action currently on 40 college campuses and universities, including nearly 1,000 active undergraduate members in the U.S. and Canada.
The movement creates long-lasting community change and advocates better understanding by addressing the underlying differences between people.
Smith hopes to achieve the same ideals through the basketball tournament.
“It’s about creating relationships with people no matter what race, age or gender,” Smith said. “Even if you lose the game, you win because you created a relationship with someone that you barely knew.”
The tournament will not only celebrate the movement by bringing people together, but it will also act as a fundraiser for EOP.
According to Smith, the Pi Lambda Phi members plan to expand their event for EOP in future years.
“We have plans to make this event span for an entire week with different events every day where students can come together and express themselves on campus,” Smith said.
Ferris sophomore accounting and finance major and internet chair and judicial board of Pi Lambda Phi Tyler Satkowiak plans to participate in the tournament as a referee or scorekeeper.
“I hope that the event teaches everyone that there is always something that can be done to make our only world a great one to live in,” Satkowiak said. “No one person is better than another because of the color of their skin or any other attribute about them.”
The Elimination of Prejudice basketball tournament will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at the Student Rec Center. Sign-up sheets are located at the Student Rec Center or online at the Pi Lambda Phi Facebook page. The proceeds of registration will go directly to the Foundation.