Sigma Chi hosts second annual Sigma Freeze
John W. Glazier was walking up the steps of Anspach Hall in 2014 when he got the call that his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time since 2007.
Instead of walking into his philosophy exam as planned, the Birmingham senior found himself experiencing “one of his most embarrassing moments” of breaking down in tears in front of the building.
He began to go home as often as he could to fill in the role of his mother, including helping his younger brother apply to college, a confusing endeavor that he said his mother had helped him do.
“I went home and did what I had to do to help make sure he was prepared and make sure she was comfortable,” Glazier said. “Going through that is a pretty indescribable feeling. I’m really lucky I had a good support system.”
Glazier, who is a member of the fraternity Sigma Chi, spent Saturday night competing in the second Sigma Freeze charity hockey game between his fraternity and Sigma Pi to help raise money for cancer research.
An estimated $10,000 has been raised through donations and ticket sales as of Sunday.
“I think my mom is pretty proud of what we’re doing. I’m proud to be her son and to be able to help by doing this,” Glazier said.
The two-hour long game began at 6 p.m. at the local Isabella County Ice Arena.
Part of the donations will be given to a Sigma Chi alumnus recently diagnosed with colon cancer.
“It shows that once you’re a Sigma Chi, you’re a lifelong member. We’re just trying to be our brother’s keeper and show him that he’s not in this alone,” said Livonia senior Zachary Stout. “It’ll be a nice surprise gift for him.”
Stout said his grandfather, who left a positive impact on every person he met, had always been his idol.
That just made it harder when he passed away from cancer in 2006, two years after his godmother passed away from cancer.
“I strive to be viewed as highly as I viewed him. I don’t try to completely live my life for him, but I try to be happy and be proud of the man I am for him,” Stout said. “I feel like he was with me in the stands or looking down, watching. I like to think he’d be proud.”
More than $2,000 was raised in donations through Sigma Freeze’s online fundraising page, days before the event.
Sigma Chi won the game for the second year in a row with a score of 6-3.
Other members in Greek Life were in attendance.
"A large part of Greek Life is our philanthropy. This event is important because it's even bigger than other fundraisers,” said Delta Phi Epsilon member and Flat Rock sophomore Sydnye McCleery. “There's a lot of our community here together mixed with some friendly competition."
Delta Phi Epsilon member Alyssa Lombardo's grandfather passed away of cancer last year. The Chicago freshman said she's also had other family members diagnosed with cancer.
Having a closer connection to the cause made the event hit her closer to home.
"Even if this specific philanthropy hit closer to home for me, I'd still go to other kinds of philanthropy events that are raising money for charity,” she said. “It's just a fun way to raise money and help."
More than 500 tickets to the event were sold. Several students wore Sigma Chi and Sigma Pi hockey jerseys in support of the teams.
“Since it’s going to the Huntsman Care Institute and is directly affecting one of our brothers, it means that we aren’t giving up the fight,” Stout said. “I feel like we are making an impact, like the butterfly impact; we are making one little wave that can bring a big wave.”
