Balancing athletics and Greek life - no problem
No matter the Greek/independent makeup of a team, players and coaches say it doesn't affect their sport
Andy Buss
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Sports
Senior Tom Korte is training for the NFL. Needless to say, he is a committed member of the Charger football team and has been for four years. Despite the strong bonds he formed with his teammates, in his sophomore year he decided he wanted to get more involved and try something new.
"I wanted to go Greek because I wanted to be involved in something different than just athletics," Korte, a Delta Sigma Phi fraternity member, said. "I thought it was a great way to build relationships and learn about an organization and be a part of something that forms college boys into responsible, young men."
While Division II athletics take up much of Charger athletes' time, many still participate in other areas of campus life: notably Greek life. Despite a stronger Greek movement on certain teams than on others, the decision to stay independent or go Greek is one made overall by the student.
Korte said he made his own decision and did not feel pushed in one direction or the other.
"I really didn't feel pressure," he said. "I felt that guys I respected on the team and were also in Delt Sig - I formed relationships with them, so it was easy for me to join."
Head football coach Keith Otterbein echoed Korte's claim of the decision varying in pro's and con's for each student-athlete.
"It's a very individual thing," Otterbein said. "I don't encourage it, don't discourage it. If you want to get involved, if it can help you have a more positive experience at Hillsdale College, great."
Otterbein, who was a member the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity during his time as a Hillsdale student, said he enjoyed the Greek aspect of his experience, but said it's not something that appeals to everyone.
"Each individual looks at the fraternity opportunity differently," he said. "I think it has to fit what they're looking for. It can be a very positive thing for the guys that get involved. But I don't think it's a necessity for someone to have a good college experience."
"I wanted to go Greek because I wanted to be involved in something different than just athletics," Korte, a Delta Sigma Phi fraternity member, said. "I thought it was a great way to build relationships and learn about an organization and be a part of something that forms college boys into responsible, young men."
While Division II athletics take up much of Charger athletes' time, many still participate in other areas of campus life: notably Greek life. Despite a stronger Greek movement on certain teams than on others, the decision to stay independent or go Greek is one made overall by the student.
Korte said he made his own decision and did not feel pushed in one direction or the other.
"I really didn't feel pressure," he said. "I felt that guys I respected on the team and were also in Delt Sig - I formed relationships with them, so it was easy for me to join."
Head football coach Keith Otterbein echoed Korte's claim of the decision varying in pro's and con's for each student-athlete.
"It's a very individual thing," Otterbein said. "I don't encourage it, don't discourage it. If you want to get involved, if it can help you have a more positive experience at Hillsdale College, great."
Otterbein, who was a member the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity during his time as a Hillsdale student, said he enjoyed the Greek aspect of his experience, but said it's not something that appeals to everyone.
"Each individual looks at the fraternity opportunity differently," he said. "I think it has to fit what they're looking for. It can be a very positive thing for the guys that get involved. But I don't think it's a necessity for someone to have a good college experience."
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