Serve in the Light of Truth

The Robinson family with officers of the Epsilon Xi Chapter.

Sigma Nu’s Epsilon Xi Chapter at University of Mississippi hosted last Friday its 25th annual Charity Bowl, the philanthropy football game held every March to raise funds for patients recovering from spinal cord injuries.

Epsilon Xi Chapter’s Charity Bowl was first held in 1990 and originally supported Chuckie Mullins, an Ole Miss Football player who was paralyzed after a violent on-field collision. The recipient of this year’s Charity Bowl proceeds, Stevelyn Robinson, was on hand to receive the $75,000 raised from the event.

The 19-year-old Stevelyn Robinson, a former three-sport athlete, has used a wheel chair since injuring his spinal cord in a 2011 school bus accident. Robinson has worked through two years of physical therapy and can now push a wheeled walker for short distances. Stevelyn, who attended the event with his family, was joined at mid-field with Epsilon Xi Chapter officers and Ole Miss football coach Matt Luke for the check presentation. Commenting about Stevelyn, event coordinator Paul DeForest noted, “Stevelyn is an incredible kid. It’s just a matter of time before he starts walking again.”

Stevelyn Robinson with his parents and sister.

The Charity Bowl featured a football game between members of the Epsilon Xi Chapter and the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. KA gained its slot in the Charity Bowl by pledging the highest amount of money in an open bidding session between Ole Miss fraternities. The Ole Miss KA chapter pledged $7,100, outpacing Ole Miss’ Alpha Tau Omega chapter by $500. Previous Charity Bowls participants have included Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi.

Charity Bowl has become a longstanding tradition at the University of Mississippi, eventually expanding to include a cheerleading competition and a Charity Bowl “court” with a Charity Bowl Queen. While the chapter has donated $75,000 to Stevelyn and his family, additional proceeds from the event will go to the Friends of Children’s Hospital in Jackson, Miss. It is anticipated that an additional $25,000 will be donated to the Friends of Children’s Hospital.

The Charity Bowl is supported by a variety of Epsilon Xi alumni, current parents, and friends of the chapter. During the game, many parents and alumni volunteered by selling admission tickets and t-shirts, and working concession stands. With the help of parents and alumni, the chapter was able to raise $18,000 during the game.

Putting a wrap on the event, Deforest said, “It was an excellent experience and we were excited to help Steveyln in his recovery effort. We’re honored to be able to celebrate the event’s 25th anniversary and look forward to the next 25 years of being the largest Greek philanthropy in the country.”

Epsilon Xi Chapter’s Charity Bowl football team with the Robinson family.