Several UT students turned a few simple games of football in 80 degree weather into a philanthropic affair.

Chi Omega, the largest women's fraternal organization in the National Panhellenic Conference, held their third annual flag football tournament on March 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Philanthropy Chair Samantha Raticoff explained the main focus of the day. 

"The tournament benefits Dream Connection, which is Knoxville's branch of Make a Wish Foundation, and what we're doing is, we're granting wishes of children who are chronically or terminally ill," she said.

This year, Chi Omega sponsored Brittany, who is 15 years old with sarcoma, and Ben, a five year old with leukemia.  Brittany's dream is to travel to Egypt, and Ben wants to be on Sesame Street.

This year, 33 teams participated including 18 sororities and fraternities and 13 other student organizations including one high school team.

Each team donated $175 to play, and this year, Chi Omega raised $12,000  which is double the amount they raised last year.

Throughout the day, Chi Omegas sold food, and all of the money from the sales went directly to the Make a Wish Foundation.  About 170 Chi Omegas were onhand throughout the tournament making sure everything was organized.

Scheduling Chair Lauren Greiner talked about her past experience with the tournament. 

"Last year, one of the biggest things that stood out in my mind all year was when we had a little boy come and he had sickle cell anemia, and he came out here and saw everything and we put him on a Disney Cruise, so it was good," she said. "He said it was one of the best days of his life and I think that will kind of stick in all of our minds for a long time, so it's worth every penny and everything we do for it."

The UT Poetry team won the men's division, and the Knoxville Catholic High School team won the women's division. 

The sisters of Chi Omega hope to continue the tournament and increase their fundraising goal each year.