Record $100k Fight Night Donation (Official Press Release)
Ricky Martinez, Alpha Nu 2018, celebrates his win in Fight Night with over 2000 in attendance.
UT Fraternity Raises over $100,000 for Charity
Sigma Chi at the University of Texas raises over $100,000 for charity at “Texas Fight Night” boxing event.
Austin, Texas, November 7, 2014: Through Texas Fight Night and its sponsors, the UT Sigma Chi Chapter was able to raise $100,123 for its four beneficiaries. The majority of the money was given to two national cancer foundations: The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The fraternity also chose to support two local groups: The 100 Club of Central Texas and the Boys & Girls Club of local Austin school, Wooldridge Elementary. In addition to fundraising, a Fight Night blood drive was held the week prior generating 42 blood and platelet donations.
Texas Fight Night is an amateur boxing competition and musical performance that takes place each fall at the Sigma Chi House. At this year’s event, over 2,000 attendees enjoyed 11 fully sanctioned bouts with boxers representing 20 different organizations on campus and a performance by hip-hop performing artist 2 Chainz. All of which would not have been possible without a full staff of professional security personnel including two officers of the Austin Police Department, fire marshals, paramedics, physicians, USA Boxing coaches and officials, and volunteers from the Chapter. “This chapter judges the true value and success of Texas Fight Night on how we are able to make an impact through our philanthropic endeavors,” says Texas Fight Night Chairman Derrick Porter. “We are organized, professional, and above all we deeply care about making a difference. Fight Night truly embodies the University of Texas Sigma Chi Chapter.”
The Beneficiaries
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation provides funding for childhood cancer research and treatment along with organizing mentors and activities for children battling cancer. “We are so grateful for the continued support of Sigma Chi Fraternity at UT Austin in the fight against childhood cancer” Carly Bergstein, program director of The B+ Foundation says. “The funds generously donated through Fight Night will allow The B+ Foundation to continue to financially support families of children with cancer nationwide as well as fund critical childhood cancer research.”
The Huntsman Cancer Foundation financially supports research, education, and patient care initiatives at Huntsman Cancer Institute. “Since 2005, the Sigma Chi International Fraternity has raised $2.3M for cancer research. University of Texas is among the highest contributing chapters and a founding member of the $20K Club. Sigma Chi members are among the most organized and effecting fundraisers on college campuses today. Philanthropy is a pillar of each chapter, creating traditions on campuses to fuel the important work of eradicating cancer,” says Huntsman Cancer Foundation Director of Development, Lori Kun. “The Huntsman Cancer Institute today is dedicated to children and families affected by cancer, and is currently adding a children’s cancer research center to our cancer campus. One hundred percent of these dollars will help us take the next step to expand the research capabilities of HCI, especially for children. We are honored to put this generous gift to work.”
The 100 Club of Central Texas provides financial and emotional assistance to injured or killed first responders and their families.
The Wooldridge Elementary Boys & Girls Club and Sigma Chi have built a relationship through weekly mentoring programs and field days each semester. Ernesto Reyna, coordinator at Wooldridge Elementary had this to say about the UT fraternity, “We have been humbled by the generosity and commitment that the guys from Sigma Chi have shown us here at the Boys & Girls Club. The excitement that they bring to our club members here at Wooldridge Elementary is amazing. These kids love having them around. We wouldn’t be able to do a lot of fun, off the wall activities without the help of Sigma Chi. I have been here for about 7 years now, and I can honestly say, these guys truly care about us.”
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To learn more about Fight Night, visit the event website at txfightnight.com.