With Cockfest only two days away, Greek organizations are putting the final touches on their routines — some of them after months of practice.
Cockfest, a pep rally held every year during USC's Homecoming, showcases five groups as they perform five-minute skits for an audience in Williams-Brice Stadium. Only one going home as the winner.
"It's fierce," said Chelsea Jones, Homecoming liaison for Kappa Delta sorority. "It's friendly in some ways, but we all want to win."
While the competition is open to all USC student organizations, all five groups selected for Cockfest 2002 are Greek.
Carson Bacon, event co-chair for Cockfest, said three non-Greek organizations signed up.
But "one called to cancel ahead of time, and the other two didn't show up," he said.
Haley Smith, director of media relations for the Homecoming Commission, says Greek organizations are better designed to participate in Homecoming events.
"We would love to have other groups to try out next year, but I feel like it's hard for other groups because they are not as centralized as sororities," she said. "Homecoming is a big thing for Greeks. Other groups haven't set the precedence yet. They're not as focused on events like these."
Some Greek organizations devote months to practicing and planning. Alpha Chi Omega sorority, paired with Sigma Chi fraternity in Cockfest, has been working on its skit for four weeks now, but it chose its theme in the spring, according to President Meggan Robinson.
Bacon said stress plays a role in Cockfest. "People get stressed because everyone wants to have their chapter or organization represented well," he said. "Any time you compete on stage, it's stressful, but this is a positive stress. I mean, you don't have to do it."
Delta Delta Delta sorority President Kit Seawright said winning Cockfest is about promoting one's organization, and that this only adds to the competition.
"We think a lot about the competition because, if you didn't, you would not have a reason to be excited," Seawright said. "It's very competitive, but that's what gives you the motivation. You just want to show that your sorority is the best. You dedicate 365 days of the year to your sorority, and this is the time to show what you're proud of."
The Homecoming Commission started working on Cockfest last March.
"It's a big thing; people don't really realize how much work goes into it and how long it takes us to achieve a whole week of events like this," said Smith.
But Seawright says winning isn't everything.
"Well, of course, in the end, if you win something, you feel like you have accomplished something. Even if you don't, you can look back on the friends you make," she said. "We have 169 girls, and it's hard to get to know all of those girls. You don't realize all the different talents they have. It helps to get to know each other."
Skits will focus on this year's Homecoming theme, "Here's to Carolina." Bacon said themes for this year's skits are Indiana Jones, Carolina Idol, Scooby Doo, Saturday Night Live and MTV Road Rules.
Cockfest, which will be 7 p.m. Friday at Williams-Brice Stadium, is open to everyone. Tickets will be $6 at the gate $5 in advance. Aisha Tyler, the host of "The Fifth Wheel" on the WB network, will perform a comedy routine and play host to the event.
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