Here at California State University, Stanislaus we are the land of the educated and the home of the Warrior.

The various championships and trophies our athletic teams have won make us proud to rep the red and gold. On the other hand, the sororities and fraternities on campus often are featured in the Turlock Journal for hosting philanthropic events and also gain recognition for supporting the school by actively participating in campus events.

Both athletes and sororities/fraternities are Warriors; Warriors that enrich CSU Stanislaus’s reputation and enrich the lives of the students.

Although both programs generate numerous benefits for the campus and students themselves, there is said to be an underlying tension between them. As a sister of Delta Phi Gamma and close friend with student athletes I have heard many comments alluding to the tension.

“There is a huge disconnect between Greek life and Athletics,” Billy Hilton, 23, Stanislaus alumni and former athlete said. “Some of it is just personality differences, but there are surely some other factors as well.”

On the other hand, “I’ve noticed a tension,” Arion Evins, 20, sister of Delta Phi Gamma said. “I see comments about it on the Stan State Confession page on Facebook all the time.”

However, when asked various questions regarding the tension between Athletics and Greek society, the Greek Advisor Nicole Turner said, “Unfortunately, I am not aware of any issues between Greeks and Athletics.”

“I became a member of Sigma Omega Phi my first semester attending Stan and with the support of my family and sorority sisters I have been part of the student athlete community for 3 years,” Angela Mendoza, 23, softball player and sister of Sigma Omega Phi said.

“Personally I believe that the tension is more between the male athletes and fraternities on campus,” Mendoza said.

“I think that the thought process of fraternity guys are that the athletes think they’re better than them because they play a sport, and on the other hand the athletes probably think that the frat guys are a bunch of “wanna-be” jocks.”

There are only two events that involve Athletics and sororities/fraternities: Homecoming and Greek Week. At the end of homecoming and Greek Week the participants are asked to attend a soccer game or a basketball game where the results of the competition are announced.

“I mean homecoming is probably the most tense time of year,” Hilton said. “It is frustrating that the main reason everyone is there is because of the homecoming candidacy results.”

While the tension may be frustrating, some believe amends can be made.

“I believe that the tension between Greeks and athletes can eventually, in the long run, be resolved but I don’t see it happening anytime soon,” Mendoza said. “I believe that it can be resolved because over the years that I have been here I have noticed that there is slowly an increase in the number of athletes entering the greek life.”

With positivity and reconciliation a resolution can be in the near future.

“Athletics needs Greek Life and Greek Life needs Athletics,” Hilton said.  “It would just be nice if both groups realized it.”