Kappa Sigma Steals First Place in Lander’s Brand New Homecoming Race

Despite the chill of a late afternoon drizzle Wednesday, Feb. 4, Lander student Renato Blanco found himself wheeling a small tricycle to the walkway just behind the fountain on Lander University’s front lawn.

Blanco was representing Somos LU, Lander’s organization for Hispanic students, in the University’s first ever BYOBW Derby… that’s short for “Bring Your Own Big Wheels.” The race was held among several competing organizations all vying for the most points over the course of Homecoming Week at Lander, and the right to take home the coveted Bearcat Cup.

As the name suggests, groups were encouraged to select their own mode of transportation for the race, whether it be a tricycle, a battery-powered mini Mercedes G-wagen, or perhaps a modified Little Tikes Cozy Coupe.

The event is a fun refresh of the former “soapbox races” at Lander, a Homecoming tradition where sororities, fraternities, clubs, and even some faculty and staff would race homemade gravity racers from the top of Willson Street.

“We were looking for something new and inspiring on campus,” said Ariel Wingard, director of Lander’s Office of Campus Engagement. “We needed to go big or go home, and we decided tricycles were where it’s at.”

Wingard admitted others were quick to ask, “Why exclude a Barbie Jeep,” added Wingard. “So we said, ‘bring your own big wheels.’”

From that, a new chapter in Lander’s Homecoming racing history was born. Yet, even with that sense of familiarity, it was obvious to some from the sidelines that this year’s contestants were nervous of how they might fair, especially given the weather conditions of the course – a quick lap around the traffic circle in front of Finis Horne Arena.

Ultimately, though, all organizations embraced the bitter weather, finding warmth in camaraderie and shared Lander spirit.

After three rounds, it was Kappa Sigma Fraternity who took first place. Their representative, management/marketing major Dylan Gilder, drove a sparkling blue trike with a set of heavy-duty rear wheels that proved powerful on the track. Gilder came in first place in all three races, leaving all other contestants in his wake.

“If you’re not first, your last,” Gilder said, referencing the famous line from Will Ferrell’s character in Talladega Nights (2006).

Naturally, making history as the first winner of BYOBW was cause for celebration. Luckily, the author of this story did manage to pull the champion away from his fraternity brothers for a few additional questions. And, when asked what advice he might offer future BYOBW contestants, he repeated another common refrain among NASCAR fans:

“Go fast, turn left,” Gilder said.

Admittedly, Kappa Sigma’s “big wheels” would not win an award for most stylish vehicle in the race. If such an award were given, the spectators would have chosen Zeta Tau Alpha, whose driver took the wheels of an iconic pink Barbie Jeep.

The color scheme was a fitting choice, explained Lander student Olivia Abela, a spokesperson forZTA. Abela noted that her organization’s philanthropic work centers around breast cancer research and awareness. The pink ribbon is an easily recognizable symbol of those fighting breast cancer.

“We wanted something with a little bit of our personality,” Abela said.

The pink Barbie jeep, while stylish, was not the fastest option. In fact, ZTA finished the competitiondead last. Yet, Abela said the event was enjoyable in that it provided her organization the opportunity to “add your own flair,” she said.

“My advice for next year is for everyone to bring a pink Jeep – for everyone to bring something that represents their organization.”