Beta Bring It On: Not just a competition

By Bayden Armstrong

The members of the Pi Beta Phi chapter celebrate after winning their second consecutive Beta Bring It On cheer trophy. (Bayden Armstrong/Tower Yearbook)

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, the Phillips Center at the University of Florida was packed with energy, excitement and an overwhelming sense of unity as members from every Panhellenic chapter gathered to support their fellow sisters. 

The annual Beta Bring It On cheerleading competition, hosted by the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, is not just a cheerleading competition  —  it’s a philanthropic event dedicated to raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. This year, with the help of the UF community, Beta Theta Pi raised $56,769, surpassing last year’s total of $50,000. Every cent of the proceeds goes directly to the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization committed to finding a cure for the disease.

Beta Theta Pi pairs with UF’s Panhellenic chapters for the event, which includes 18 sororities on campus, and about 4,000 women total. Around 30 women from each Panhellenic chapter spend weeks choreographing and perfecting their routines. The routines featured an electrifying mix of cheers, pyramids, dances, baskets and tumbling, generating large cheers from the crowd after each skill. 

The fraternity men fearlessly threw each other into the air and played an active role in the performances, either helping as stunt bases or adding their own tricks and comedic flair to the show. Many of them painted their chest with their respective sorority’s letters and saluted stunts with a hand sign.

The brothers of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity flipped through the air as part of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority's routine. (Bayden Armstrong/Tower Yearbook).

Of the participating sororities, Pi Beta Phi once again secured the cheer competition title, marking their second consecutive win, while Kappa Alpha Theta and Alpha Delta Pi secured second and third places. The overall champion title, however, went to Alpha Delta Pi, with Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi taking second and third overall.

While the performances were the highlight of the night, the true purpose of the event was in the philanthropic mission – raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Each Panhellenic chapter was represented by a “Beta Rose” candidate, a dedicated chapter woman who spent the days leading up to the competition raising money for the cause.

This year’s top fundraiser was Kali Roth from Gamma Phi Beta, who raised an impressive $3,400. 

In a heartfelt Instagram post, she shared her motivation, writing: “With millions of individuals and their loved ones affected by this devastating disease, I’m more motivated than ever to encourage others to join the fight.” 

The Phillips Center buzzed with excitement not only during the performances but also during the moments between routines. Beta Theta Pi brothers took turns addressing the audience, sharing personal stories of how Alzheimer’s has affected them and their loved ones. 

A group of fraternity men entertained the audience with jokes, pre-recorded interviews and fun questions for the Beta Rose candidates and cheerleaders. 

Standout questions included asking the audience members the worst date they’ve been on, their red flag and some classics, like, “If you could swap places with any celebrity for a day, who would it be?”

These lighthearted segments provided a perfect balance to the night, blending fun with the serious mission behind the event. It also gave the audience a behind the scenes look at the girls competing in the competition.

The participating members of the Alpha Phi chapter finished off their routine with a pyramid. (Bayden Armstrong)

The event continues to grow, inspiring students to use their passion and talents to make a tangible impact on the world. The 2025 edition set a new benchmark, not only in fundraising but also in fostering a deeper connection between the Greek community and the fight against Alzheimer’s. Each Greek Chapter nationwide has a dedicated philanthropic cause, designed to help give back to the community through volunteering and fundraising. These philanthropic causes are generally considered one of the most important pillars of a chapter.