Running through campus in their boxers, about 15 racers helped raise funds for children.
The Kutztown University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon held its sixth annual Boxer Trot at KU’s McFarland Student Union lawn during Greek Week on Thursday, April 16, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Miracle Network.
The 2014 race raised about $1,800, and so far this year, the 2015 race raised $1,250, according to Cole Davidheiser, the event’s coordinator and SAE member. The group also collected 1,500 articles of clothing for the Salvation Army. Davidheiser said that SAE will hold a table in the MSU next week to continue collecting donations and hopes to reach $2,000 to $2,500.
The money raised for the Children’s Miracle Network funds research for childhood cancer. According to Davidheiser, the fraternity chooses what hospital gets its donation, which is usually the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“The SAE Boxer Trot is a wonderful example of the philanthropic spirit of Kutztown’s students,” said David Johnson, assistant director of University Relations at KU in a statement. “We are proud of the money that is raised by all of our campus organizations each year.”
About 15 participated in the actual race, mostly SAE members, but there were numerous people around all day. Davidheiser estimates more than 300 people visited throughout the day.
The race lasted no more than a few minutes at 3 p.m., but signups and activities began at 10 a.m. Participating in the race was free, so the fraternity raised money by selling t-shirts and its signature boxers while providing food, raffles, games, moon bounces and informational tables.
Participating in the race is not mandatory, but SAE member Nathan Schwartz ran for the second year.
“It’s my favorite day of the year. I’m really excited to see how this one turns out,” he said before the race. “It’s a fun thing to do with all our brothers.”
At exactly 3 p.m., SAE members stripped down to just boxers and sprinted off around the MSU lawn, around the library, and back to the finish line. SAE member Jeff Lange, running for his third year, placed first. He admitted after the race that he did not train for it, and he was actually tired from Greek Week.
“I think it’s for a great cause,” Lange said after the race. “We get a lot of people to come out [and] get the community to come together.”
The event was open to the community, with tables for The Edge at Kutztown, a student apartment complex; Bearfest, the university’s end-of-the-year celebration; and Kutztown Strong, a local substance abuse prevention group. According to Davidheiser, the fraternity considers Kutztown Strong one of its local philanthropies.
Right before the race began, Schwartz said that SAE already sold a lot of its merchandise and people have been showing up all day.
The run changed locations from last year on the DMZ while gaining more sponsorships and activities.
“It’s almost like a giant carnival compared to last year,” said Davidheiser.
The event used to be called the Undie Run, but the fraternity changed the name for the previous year’s race when it found out MTV had it trademarked.
With the recent controversy of a University of Oklahoma chapter of SAE’s racist chant, Davidheiser believes the university appreciates the KU chapter holding events like the Boxer Trot.
“It shows the public that we’re more than what they see in the media,” he said.