Phi Delt Athletics
No civilization in the ancient world was as fiercely competive as the Greeks, whose democratic society celebrated the Olympic Games and immortalized its champions every four years. Practically, of course, the athletic competitions of ancient Greece were in large part an effort to militarize its populace through the principles of honor and competition. One particular episode of Greek warfare exemplifies the principles of modern Phi Delta Theta athletics - the defense of the Spartan warriors at the Battle of Thermopolae.
In the August of 480 BC, an alliance of 7000 Greek warriors, led by an elite group of 300 Spartan Hoplites - the most disciplined and effective warriors in all the ancient world - were sent to the mountanious cliffs of Thermopolae on a suicidal mission to defend a narrow pass against the aggression of Xerxes' enormous Persian army, which numbered perhaps 300,000 men. After two days of intense fighting at the narrow mountain pass - in which the Greeks utilized their defensive fortifications to slaughter thousands upon thousands of advancing Persians - the Persians discovered a second pass, and defeat became inevitable for the suddenly outflanked Greeks. Present at the battle himself, the Spartan King Lionides ordered all but he and his 300 Greek Spartans to retreat, while neighboring Greek city states were being evacuated. Courageously, the Spartans remained in the mountains of Thermopolae and continued to fight the Persian army. While eventually Thermopolae fell as every Spartan died in battle, the losses suffered by the Persian army were so devestating that their previously invincible army would later be defeated at Salamis, effectively ending the Greek-Persian War.
The unbelievable discipline, success, and courage of the Spartan warriors at the Battle of Thermopolae have been nobly transmitted to present-day Phi Delta Theta athletes. Though not as "strong" numerically as other fraternities, Phi Delta Theta enjoys a prestigious legacy of Cornell varsity athletes, while other Phis routinely win championships in the intramural competitions. This past fall our intramural kickball team won the championship game on a last-inning diving outfield catch, which subsequently sent the outfielder to the hospital. Phi Delta Theta fields teams in every intramural sport, and takes innertube water polo every bit as serious as it does football or basketball. Annually, Phi Delta Theta ranks among the top 5 or 6 fraternities in the "all sports" point system.
Writing as one of the Phi Delta Theta athletic co-chairmen, I welcome you to our athletics page, where you may browse the results of recent intramural competitions and bear witness to our rich athletic history.
Sincerely,
Stephen M. Davis '08
Game Summaries - Archived Articles
All Sports Summary - Spring 2008 Fall 2007 Spring 2007 Fall 2006 Spring 2006
No teams have been defined for this semester...
