Photo: @dphie_snc on Instagram
Every spring, campus energy at St. Norbert College reaches a new level during Spring Fling Week, a tradition that brings together sororities, fraternities and social groups for a week full of competition, spirit and connection. What makes this event stand out is not just the activities themselves, but the way students are split into teams and challenged across a variety of events that highlight different strengths.
Each group enters the week ready to represent not only themselves, but the organizations they are a part of. Teams are made up of members from different sororities, fraternities, and social groups, creating a dynamic mix of personalities and talents. This structure reflects St. Norbert’s value of Communio, community built on relationships, because it pushes students to collaborate with people outside of their usual circles.
Throughout the week, teams compete in a series of events including Tug of War, Volleyball, Family Feud-style trivia and Airbands. Each activity tests something different. Tug of War quickly reveals which teams are the strongest, as students dig their heels into the ground and rely on both physical power and teamwork to pull ahead. Volleyball shifts the focus to athleticism and coordination, where communication and quick reactions often determine the winning side.
Family Feud introduces a completely different challenge: quick thinking and wit. Teams must answer survey-style questions, often leading to hilarious guesses and unexpected answers. It becomes clear which groups can think on their feet and stay composed under pressure, while also keeping the mood light and fun.
Airbands, one of the most anticipated events of the week, showcases creativity and performance. Groups choreograph routines, design outfits, and lip-sync to songs, turning the stage into a full production. This event allows students to express themselves in a completely different way, highlighting artistic talent, humor and originality. It’s not just about winning, it’s about putting on a show that people will remember.
As a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, I’ve experienced firsthand how exciting and meaningful this week can be. While there is definitely a competitive aspect, what stands out the most is how much fun everyone has. No matter the outcome of each event, every group shows up with energy, school spirit, and a willingness to participate.
Another layer of competition comes from how teams place overall. The results of Spring Fling Week determine the order in which groups get to pick their “Uglies” and “Queens”, representatives from other fraternities and sororities who partner with them for future events. This adds an extra incentive to perform well, as groups aim for the best possible position when making their selections.
However, beyond rankings and results, Spring Fling Week is ultimately about bringing people together. It gives students a break from academics while still encouraging involvement and connection. It allows people to see each other in new ways, who is stronger than expected, who is more athletic, who is quick with their wit, and who is incredibly creative.
Most importantly, it reinforces the sense of community that defines St. Norbert College. Whether you’re competing, cheering from the sidelines, or just showing up to support friends, everyone becomes part of something bigger than themselves.
Spring Fling Week isn’t just a series of events, it’s a reflection of what makes this campus special: collaboration, energy, and a community that knows how to have fun together. Congratulations to every team that won, and every team that didn’t! It was such a great collection of events to watch and be a part of.