No matter what absurd outfit you’re wearing, the bars of Champaign and Urbana are only enjoyable for so long. Exchanges, by nature, are exciting and fun, but after a while, the themes become tired and the events start to feel routine. One way that sororities and fraternities break this cycle is by scheduling trips to sporting events and other attractions in place of exchanges.

When planning events, social chairs often look to these types of exchanges to spice up their chapter’s social calendar. Whether it is a basketball game, baseball game, hockey game or even a trip back to the 11th century for a battle and four course feast at Medieval Times, many fraternities and sororities enjoy attending these events together.

Kappa Delta has arranged for several of these events in the last three semesters. The events consisted of a night at Medieval Times with Sigma Phi Epsilon, a Cubs game with Delta Tau Delta and a Bulls game with Phi Delta Theta, said Michelle Lenzen, sophomore in Media and social chair for Kappa Delta.

“(The events) are a lot more fun than just a regular exchange because it’s something out of the ordinary,” Lenzen said. “It gives you an opportunity to go somewhere with your sorority that you might not otherwise go to.”

Phi Kappa Psi is pairing up with Pi Beta Phi and traveling to Chicago to see a Bulls game this Friday, said Sean Wunderlich, senior in FAA and former social chair of Phi Kappa Psi. Last fall, the fraternity attended a White Sox game with Alpha Gamma Delta. While Wunderlich enjoys these events, they can be difficult to plan.

His advice?

“Pick a house that you know you’re going to have fun with and plan early,” he said.

Although the excursion can become expensive, sometimes venues will give chapters a price break. “Usually with these kinds of events you can get discounted ticket prices because so many people are going,” Wunderlich said.

On these exchanges, Wunderlich enjoys the amount of time spent with everyone, he said. During the six hours of traveling, everyone gets to know each other well.

Lenzen said that her favorite part of the experience is usually the bus ride to the event.

“The whole time you’re anticipating getting there, and everyone plays games and has a great time,” she said.

Venturing so far from Champaign, however, has its pitfalls.

“If you don’t have a good time, you’re stuck in Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis or wherever,” Wunderlich said.

Lenzen said that these exchanges can also be more stressful for social chairs.

“The worst part for me is trying to organize everyone and making sure that I have everyone,” she said. “Once you get there, everyone disperses. It’s a little crazy.”

These events are allowed under Kolusis policy, said Ashley Dye, assistant dean of students and coordinator of fraternity and sorority affairs. Kolusis is the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council Risk Management organization that oversees all Greek social events.

All of the same rules remain for these events, Dye said, but a few additional rules apply.

“We don’t allow alcohol on the buses and obviously we can’t send out a Kolusis observer to these events,” she said.

“There’s more responsibility for the chapter to make sure that they are following the rules during events like this.”

Whether you’re cheering on the Cubs at Wrigley Field or rooting for the Green Knight at Medieval Times, these exchanges provide something different.

Though the venues may not have beverages, music, and dance floors like the bars of Champaign, they offer a unique experience for sororities and fraternities to enjoy together.

“We really encourage chapters to think about approaching exchanges more creatively,” Dye said.

“Rather than going to a bar and having a theme party, it’s out of town, it’s something different, and it’s something fun.”