The crowd rose and fell with each hit, roaring, booing or shouting out advice along with the trainers.

They were watching the boxing matches of The Main Event, a two-day amateur collegiate boxing event hosted by Alpha Delta Pi in collaboration with Legends Boxing Gym, which provided trainers and a place to train for the fighters, both Greek and non-Greek students.

This annual philanthropic event sends its proceeds from ticket sales, online fundraising, letter drives, personal contributions and sponsorships to Ronald McDonald House Charities, an independent nonprofit organization that helps provide houses and resources for families with hospitalized children. Last year’s fundraising totals reached $67,000, after all expenses were paid.

Each fight featured three rounds of one-and-a-half minutes each. The match-ups were decided by a weigh-in that took place on Nov. 1 at Tin Roof. Fights could end in knockout, referee’s decision or unanimous decision based on the judges’ votes.

The Main Event began in patriotic fashion with the singing of the national anthem by ADPi’s Leahshea Vance, Morgan Gardener and Olivia Davis, followed by roaring applause from the crowd.

Twenty-seven fights took place across the two-day span, each with its own Cinderella story. Although it was an amateur event, it was composed like the real thing: fighters came out to motivating music and announcers gave the “tale of the tape,” or background of the fighters, as well as round girls holding up round numbers.

Jack Karem, a freshman in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, fought and won in an unexpected turn of events on the first day of fighting. Originally, Karem was scheduled for a different fight, but was rescheduled to fight Isaac Swafford of the Kappa Alpha Order, who had 10 pounds on Karem.

Karem admitted the fight was tougher than he had expected.

“He was much bigger than me which made me nervous,” he said. “But I trusted my training with Legends Gym and won, so I’m happy.”

Scattered between fights were sorority teams’ dance performances, which were judged and ranked.

Taylor Heckert of Kappa Kappa Gamma was among the dancers for her sorority. Heckert said she has been a dancer her entire life, so it was fitting that she participated.

“I’m always so nervous before I go out and perform, although we’ve practiced twice a week for the past month,” Heckert said. “But it is so amazing how the Greek community comes together to support all those participating.”

The encouragement from the crowd came in chants, boos and cheers as spectators never took their eyes off the fight or dance.

Amanda Newcomer of Pi Beta Phi said she did not believe it when the official said her fight against Michaela Macke of Alpha Phi was over.

“They told me I won and I just remember thinking ‘No way,’” Newcomer said. “It was all so surreal to me.”

Sarah Jordan, a representative from RMHC, gave a speech between fights in which she admitted she was watching through her fingers. She thanked the efforts of the student body for contributions that have helped more than 80,000 families in need over the past 30 years.

“As this event grows, it helps more families,” she said. “It’s because of you that lives are being changed. Thank you so much.”

Representatives from “The Bloc,” a non-profit boxing organization from westside Chicago, made a presentation in which they discussed the effects of the sport on the daily lives of teens in the area.

After the fighting ended, the following awards were given:

Best boxer: Ashton Hall of Kappa Delta Sorority

Best bout: Robbie Markwell of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity vs. Nester Tuduri of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity

Sportsmanship: Hadley Baker of Delta Delta Delta Sorority

Dance:

1^st place- Alpha Phi

2^nd place- Kappa Alpha Theta

3^rd place- Delta Delta Delta

After the boxing, Sigma Alpha Epsilon hosted a concert featuring artists Roscoe Dash, MadeinTYO and Cam Wells.