Wright State University (WSU) celebrates Homecoming annually in the Spring semester with a basketball game, but that is not the only yearly tradition. Before the big game, WSU’s Greek Engagement Board (GEB) hosts an event inviting organizations to create chili and compete to be the judges’ and fans’ favorites.
This year, GEB’s chili cookoff was hosted in tandem with The 67 Society’s Raider Round-Up, which is hosted in collaboration with various campus departments and organizations. With the theme of a “Block Party,” there were attractions from classic lawn games to popcorn machines, many hosted under tents.
For the first time in several years, The Wright State Guardian entered the chili cookoff alongside many of GEB’s affiliated organizations. The student-led media group was the only non-Greek organization to partake in this year’s cookoff, with several organizations that were previous regulars not returning with competing chili.
Regardless, there were a variety of chilis, homemade by each organization, to showcase a scoop of the group’s unique culture.
The Guardian concocted a white chicken chili, titled “Fact-Checking Chili,” in honor of the organization’s commitment to finding the truth behind matters, which is a main goal of the media group.
The people’s choice award went to Alpha Xi Delta’s chili, entitled “Xi Best Chili,” and served alongside pieces of cornbread. This was the second year in a row that this sorority took home the prize. Since this is voted on by all attendees, the chapter cherishes this prize as the true gold.
However, according to the annual chili cookoff tradition, it is the judges’ choice that determines the ultimate prize. This year, third place went to the fraternity Phi Kappa Tau, while the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon came in second place. First-place crown was taken home for the second year in a row by the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha.
While it was made clear that the attendees and the judges did not value the fun naming conventions that are highly valued in The Guardian, or the diverse ingredients that were included in the concoction. It could be speculated that the competition was rigged, but there are no objective facts to prove that, so The Guardian dejectedly accepts the loss.
To read about last year’s chili cookoff, click here.
