News Article - 3 minute read

“Team Just” Wins Sigma Mu Mu Chapter Fitness Challenge

On May 21, 2025, Sigma Mu Mu Chapter, Third District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., concluded its “20 Minutes for the Founders (Stay In Fighting Trim) Challenge” that began on March 15, 2025.  This creative 11-week fitness challenge was designed by the chapter’s Health Initiatives Committee to motivate brothers to increase their physical activity.  The challenge was structured as a competition among teams that were formed using an NFL-style draft approach, and named for the Omega Founders; the teams comprising Sigma Mu Mu brothers competed for a championship trophy and bragging rights. Each team earned points based on the activity level of its members.  One (1) point was earned for 20 minutes of activity, two (2) points were earned for 40 minutes of activity, four (4) points were earned for 1 hour of exertion, and one (1) additional point was earned for every 10 minutes thereafter. These points were tabulated and captured by an electronic reporting system after entry by participating brothers.

To administer the challenge, Brother Paul Forbes served as commissioner and Brothers Brian Johnson, Derrick Clarke, Trevor Browne, and Dan Taylor volunteered as team captains. Based on profiles submitted by participating brothers, the team captains “drafted” their respective teams. For eleven weeks, the brothers “got it in”, and were physically active with each trying to meet or exceed personal goals. Daily workouts and activities included running, walking, swimming, cycling, golfing, yoga and meditation, among others.  Ultimately, Team Just earned the most points (2,293) during the challenge period and was declared the winner. The closely-held and highly anticipated results were announced at the June 2025 chapter meeting at which the championship trophy was also presented to Team Just members Brian Johnson, Stan Reed, Larry Melton, Corey Doolittle, Joseph Smith, Shawn Lacey, Ray Gary, and Craig Spraggins.  During a photo op after the meeting, Team Just enthusiastically exercised (pun intended) its bragging rights and talked of a “20 Minutes for the Founders Challenge” dynasty in the making.

While the friendly trash talking is expected to continue until Team Just is dethroned, it’s not lost on Sigma Mu Mu that the fitness challenge resulted in health improvements of the participants, making all teams and the chapter winners.  The Health Initiatives Committee hopes the comraderie displayed during the competition inspires more brothers to participate in the next fitness challenge.