Members of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity hosted a benefit concert Friday to raise money for Common Ground, an organization that works with people with disabilities. The event was planned as a sober night, fraternity president Kyle Milne said, and visitors were encouraged to donate the money they would have otherwise spent on drinks.

The fraternity has worked with Common Ground in the past. A number of Pike brothers helped with the Common Ground Race for Abilities as volunteers, and fraternity members have assisted the organization in various activities throughout the year.

Milne said the fraternity didn’t have a specific goal of funds to raise for the event. A fixed donation wasn’t required; instead, visitors were encouraged to give as much as they did or did not want.

“If it ends up being nothing (in total), great; if it’s $600 dollars, awesome,” Milne said.

Milne said that in addition to the fundraising, he hoped the party would help non-Greeks understand their organization better. He said he felt many students misunderstand, or are even scared of the activities of Greek Row, especially in light of recent accidents involving Greek organizations.

“There’s more to Greek life than what everybody says,” Milne said. “We’re fun, and we’re not scary. (The party Friday) was for anybody who wanted to come.”

Local band Via Versa headlined the party. After their performance, the party switched to dancing and games like soda pong. Milne said the crowd was slightly smaller than what he had expected, but he was still pleased with the turnout.

Via Versa band member Evan Hyde said, “We expected about that many.”

The band played to a constant crowd of about 50, with more coming in and out throughout the night. Hyde said the fraternity’s idea of raising money for Common Ground was cool and he was glad that he and the rest of Via Versa were able to help. The band has played locally at Why Sound, as well as In The Venue and The Show in Salt Lake.

After a difficult year for Greek Row, Milne said he was optimistic for the coming school year. Through activities like Friday’s sober party and their participation in the ASUSU elections, many students were able to see firsthand how the fraternity operates. Milne said the incoming ASUSU Executive Council is Greek-friendly, and he looks forward to continued cooperation and service between Pi Kappa Alpha and ASUSU.

“Doing events like this and helping people see that it’s not ‘Animal House’ is what we hope for,” Milne said.

–b.c.wood@aggiemail.usu.edu