Kathy Combo said when she was a University of Idaho student, watching the Phi Delta Theta Turtle Derby was one of her favorite things to do with her parents when they came to Moscow for Moms” Weekend. Now that it”s her turn to be a Vandal Mom, she said she loves watching the derby with her kids.
“It”s honestly one of our family traditions, coming to the turtle races,” Combo said.
Diamond Koloski | Argonaut
Sorority members cheer on their turtles as they race to the finish circle at the annual Phi Delta Theta Turtle Derby Saturday morning on Greek row.
In the event, located in the center of Old Greek Row, dozens of people gather to cheer on turtles inside a circle painted on the street – the first turtle to make it outside the circle wins.
“It sounds really boring,” said Beau Grant, Phi Delta Theta philanthropy chair. “But the crowd”s really pumped. It”s always a lot more exciting because of the crowd.”
The 58-year-old event raises funds and awareness of amyotrophic lateral disease (ALS) in honor of Lou Gehrig, who was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Grant said the turtle derby is one of the UI Greek community”s most successful philanthropies – between the auction, the coin drive and the GoFundMe account, he said the event usually raises between $1,500 and $3,000. They exceeded $3,500 before the event concluded.
Besides the turtle races, spectators can also watch skits performed by sorority women, and bid on baskets made by sororities and donated by local businesses. Audience members also have the chance to “Pie a Phi,” in which the highest bidders can throw a pie in the face of a Phi Delta Theta member.
Fourth-year student and fourth generation Vandal Ryann Mata was cheering in the crowd with her family, including her mom Rhani, a Vandal alumna. The Matas have attended the turtle derby for the past four years.
Rhani said despite growing up in Moscow and attending UI, she never really knew about the turtle derby.
“So when we decided to start bringing (my two younger daughters), we discovered it”s a lot of fun,” she said.
Ryann, a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, said her house got their turtle Thursday, and kept it in a bathtub with the company of many members of the house.
Ryann also said she met her fiance through the UI Greek community. She said this event is just one example of how the Greek community is brought together.
“It sounds weird that a competition would bring everyone together, but it really does,” Ryann said. “It”s just a friendly competition that we all love to go to.”
Rhani said she also appreciates the event, though for different reasons.
“It”s one of the few events on campus that the kids can enjoy,” Rhani said. “It really is a great time every year.”
Diamond Koloski can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @diamond_uidaho