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Jay Cridlin/Old Gold and Black

Dekes, Sigma Pis raise rowdy ruckus on the Quad
By Nick Phillips
Old Gold and Black Reporter

What do you get when you combine alcohol, fraternity pledges, plastic weapons, and a crowd of spectators? I’ll give you a clue: it’s not a date function.

Or how about when you mix a drunken Kahuna, freshmen pledges holding a rickety platform, and a luau gone wrong?

That’s right, the annual spectacles of Vikingfest and Big Kahuna.

In the traditional spirit of combat and revelry, both took place starting 4 p.m. March 1 on the Quad. A large crowd of people gathered to be entertained and they were not disappointed.

Vikingfest, held every year by Sigma Pi fraternity, consists of pledges dressed in animal skins and Viking horns squaring off to do battle on the Quad. The teams are traditionally split into teams with students hailing from the North, which start in front of Wait Chapel, against the southerners, whose troops rally in front of Reynolda Hall.

Like a scene out of Braveheart, the two teams race towards each other, meeting full-force about halfway down the grassy stretch. There they "do battle" until enough people become exhausted or get hurt.

This year, some gladiators fell at the first rush, but others remained unscathed throughout the fight. As the circle of onlookers tightened, the fighters slowly got tired of tackling each other to the ground.

Halfway through the battle, members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity rushed into the melee wearing black.

The Sigma Pi viking warriors joined forces and withstood the charge, repelling the enemy frat.

"Oh, man, it was total North domination out there", said freshman Dan Rose, a Sigma Pi fraternity pledge and northern warrior. "But when (Sig Ep) came in, we really came together and showed unity."

Senior Sigma Pi brother Eric Tarr said, "I’ve seen four Vikingfests in my time here, and this one was more bloody than the other ones. People got hurt, there were more casualties, but fortunately, especially when Sig Ep jumped in, there were no fists thrown."

According to sophomore Sigma Pi brother Travis Hicks, "As soon as they first hit each other, nobody knows what side they are on. It’s really the pledges’ day. … It makes them feel like kings."

Tarr said, "This has been going on long before I got here … but it really unifies the pledge class."

Onlookers, especially freshman, were surprised and at times disgusted with what they saw.

Freshman Charlotte White said, "It was a little too much – but definitely amusing. I think they should keep this tradition going."

Freshman Julie Byrd said, "It was hideous … I saw blood, puke, and gross boys in their underwear – disgusting."

As soon as the warriors cleared the battlefield, a procession of brothers from Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity entered the main Quad.

Big Kahuna is an annual event staged by Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. The "Big Kahuna," always a senior, this year was senior James Malone. Malone was carried in on a platform held up by the new fraternity’s pledges. He then gives a speech to the crowd that usually lasts for around 20 minutes.

The speech is notorious; some find it appalling, others hilarious.

This year’s Big Kahuna seemed tipsy as he stood on the platform delivering his speech. Although he struggled to read the speech, he still got cheers and laughs from the audience. Pushing the limits of free speech to the limit, Malone proceeded to make fun of various sororities and fraternities, as well as the administration.

After the speech, the crowd, satisfied by the violence and humor, dispersed, and the Quad fell silent – until next year.

Hicks said, "It really is a great afternoon – students always look forward to it."