Friendly competition seems natural within the Greek community. Red, White and Greek will offer another chance for sorority and fraternity members to compete for prizes during Miami University's football game Nov. 12. Miami junior John Breitbart, a member of the group assigned to create this competition, said that sororities and fraternities earn points based on their attendance, creativity of outfits and, of course, loudness.
Breitbart said the idea for this competition came from an assignment for an entrepreneurship marketing class taught by Mark Lacker, Markley visiting executive professor and project manager for the business school.
"Every semester the professor consults with some outside party to try and encourage student involvement with that organization," Breitbart said. "Since Miami's football team is not hav(ing) the best season and attendance is down, there's a lot of opportunity for improvement."
According to Lacker, students are using entrepreneurial skills in assigned groups of four to target certain demographics and encourage them to attend the games.
"What we learn in class is how to create impactful marketing programs with very little resources; little time, little money," Lacker said. "This project is, in effect, an opportunity for groups to work in an entrepreneurial setting, while developing and implementing the marketing ideas that they come up with."
Breitbat said having a successful turnout benefits the students in the Lacker's class as well as Greek organizations.
"We went to Brick Street (Bar) for sponsorship because we wanted to get as much incentive for the Greek organizations to participate as we could," Breitbart said. "Will (Weisman, owner) at Brick Street didn't even need to be convinced. He donated $50 to each winning sorority or fraternity at each game. He also provided 50 VIP passes to Brick Street or 45 East (Bar and Grille)."
Breitbart said his group is currently trying to organize a raffle as an extra fundraiser and hopes to have Miami athletics apparel signed by some of Miami's top players.
Breitbart added that the exposure acquired by the winning fraternities or sororities could help attract new members.
"Everyone wins," Breitbart said. "The Greek organizations can represent themselves to freshmen, raise money for their charity and support Miami athletics, all at one time," Breitbart said.
Breitbart also said the biggest challenge to overcome is receiving the exposure and acknowledgement from the presidents and leaders of the Greek organizations due to their hectic schedules.
Greek members are encouraged to wear red and white attire to support Miami on the Nov. 12 game.
Lacker said his students received a $25 dollar budget and a target market for this assignment. Lacker also said the athletics department expressed interest in increasing attendance at games to him, therefore initiating the correspondence between his class and Miami's football team.
