A purple haze engulfed the stage as men dressed in camouflage pants and golden boots stood tall with a look of determination on their faces.

It’s been 17 years since Omega Psi Phi have performed in National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show and 18 since they have been active on campus.

The leader of the fraternity ordered his men to win the trophy, and they did just that—taking first place in the fraternity category of the step show Saturday evening.

Brandon Byers, the president of Omega Psi Phi, said their success felt like a “dream come true.”

Byers said they have been practicing for the step show for two months and their fraternity won the last step show as well.

The “Ques” as they are often called, jumped and stomped while chanting and yelling their signature “Aought.” Their routine looked as if it were pulled from a military drill as the men stood in line with their superior member ordering the men to give push ups.

Turning around, the men all laid flat one by one seemingly about to give their commanding member exactly what was ordered; however, the routine began to change when the first man put his boot on the shoulder of the other behind him. One by one, each man placed his boot on the shoulder of the one behind linking together.

As if being one body, the men did a pushup—together as a team showing the same camaraderie as that of those in the military. Once finished, the men did a waving worm flop on the stage before pulling each other up rolling into a standing position.

“True Omega spirit,” said Omar Solomon, an admissions counselor, as the crowd cheered and screamed in support of the men performing.

DJ BandCamp, who has emceed for Black Entertainment Television’s 106 & Park, emceed for the night. At every intermission that was given, BandCamp would ask the audience a question regarding a certain song and play it, which resulted in the event blurring the lines between party and step show.

Sigma Gamma Rho has not won first place for the sorority category in 11 years, and their skit involved them being tried in court before they could take the No. 1 spot.

Dropping down and spreading her legs with her hands on her knees as she rolled her shoulders like the men of Kappa Alpha Psi, Sherry Gunn, a member of the Gamma Rhos, gave her brother fraternity a subtle show of respect and recognition.

“1. 9. 2. 2. Everybody knows that gold and blue,” the women yelled in unison. The ladies were then blindfolded with golden scarfs and thrown blue and gold canes.

Kathryn German, who is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho and an Eastern graduate, said the step show brought her back to the university and gave her the chance to step with her fellow sisters.

“It feels good—better than great,” German said.

Taking second place in the fraternity category were the men of Alpha Phi Alpha, with a skit similar to church and a funeral.

Members of the Alphas were all dressed in choir robes as they sang and chanted while clapping; one even wore floral pants and shouted portraying Mr. Brown, a character from a Tyler Perry play.

Reginald Thedford Sr., the father of Reginald Thedford, said this was his first time coming to the step show. He said the show was great and filled with lots of enthusiasm; he was proud to see his son step for the first time.

“It’s a great one; our first and our last all wrapped up into one,” Thedford Sr. said.

Second place sorority winners were Zeta Phi Beta. Their performance skit was based off of a dance class, which had the ladies popping their hips quickly and energetically while they flipped their hair yelling “Z Phi.”

Delta Sigma Theta sorority gave respect and recognition to all the fraternities by each doing their specific dance. The Kappa Leaguers also performed with their cane-stepping routine.

Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].