At this year’s Delta Gamma Anchor Bowl, students can pay to play on the same field as the professionals.

The Delta Gamma Anchor Bowl is a flag football/powder-puff tournament that invites wiling fraternities and sororities to compete against each other in order to raise money for Service for Sight, an organization that aids adults and children affected by visual impairment.

Unlike last year’s Anchor Bowl, which took place at TCU, Delta Gamma has reserved AT&T Stadium in Arlington for this year’s fundraiser scheduled for Nov. 7.

Maddy Bilder, a junior film, television and digital media major and Delta Gamma vice president of foundations, said a representative from AT&T stadium initially approached Delta Gamma as a result of the previous Anchor Bowl’s success.

“He had heard through the grapevine that the Anchor Bowl was a really big success,” she said. “He saw it as an opportunity to reach out to us. It was very cool.”

Delta Gamma paid $9,000 for tickets to sell to students and spectators for $20 each. The entry fee for each participating team is $75, Bilder said.

Bilder said the cost of the event includes a DJ, transportation to the event, public relations materials and referees for the game.

A portion of each ticket sale is donated to Service for Sight, and Delta Gamma hopes they can match last year’s $14,000 donation, Bilder said. 
 

“It is so big this year,” she said. “Ultimately, our goal is to support our philanthropy as a sorority and as a national organization.”

Natalie Rempalski, junior strategic communication major, said being the director of the Anchor Bowl requires her to guarantee every detail is dealt with and every deadline is met.

“I work really closely with Maddy,” she said. “We are both the forces driving this event.”

Rempalski said the transition from the Dee J. Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center to the home of the Dallas Cowboys was a bit overwhelming.

“Initially, it was concerning to have a venue at that price point, and we talked about the pros and cons,” she said. “Ultimately, through our hard work, we can make it as successful as last year.”

Bilder said going forward with the plan to touch down at AT&T stadium, has given Delta Gamma a wider opportunity to raise money for a good cause and expand their philanthropic pursuits.

“Being able to do the event at such a large-scale venue, has been a learning experience to say the least,” she said. “It’s been quite a ride.”

Students can buy tickets from Delta Gamma members. Buses will begin leaving for the stadium at 4:30 p.m. for teams and 5 p.m. for students. The event begins at 6 p.m.