Northwestern's Alpha Mu Hosts 3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament

The event raised funds and collected canned goods for a local nonprofit fighting food insecurity.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:06am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a college basketball game, with the players' bodies and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the raw energy and spirit of the event.A cubist interpretation of the energy and competition of a college basketball tournament, where students from multiple schools came together for a charitable cause.Chicago Today

The Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Northwestern University hosted a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament on Saturday, raising $50 and collecting donated canned goods. The event brought together students from Northwestern, DePaul University, and the University of Chicago to compete and build community, with half the proceeds going to the winning team and the other half used to purchase more canned goods for the Chicago-based nonprofit Care for Real.

Why it matters

The tournament provided a healthy, alternative activity for college students to come together and foster a sense of community, rather than turning to drugs and alcohol. As a historically Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha's event also highlighted the important role that Greek life can play in supporting local nonprofits and addressing issues like food insecurity in low-income communities.

The details

The 3-on-3 basketball tournament was organized by the Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, one of the eight historically Black sororities and fraternities at Northwestern. Participants paid a $10 entry fee, with a $1 discount for every 5 cans of food they brought. The event was initially planned for outdoor courts but had to be moved indoors to Henry Crown Sports Pavilion due to strong winds and cold temperatures. Despite the weather, the tournament still drew students from multiple schools to compete and support the cause.

  • The tournament took place on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The event was originally scheduled to be held outdoors but was moved indoors due to inclement weather.

The players

Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha

A historically Black fraternity at Northwestern University that organized the 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament.

Adam Wiseman

A Weinberg junior and member of Alpha Mu who was one of the event's organizers.

Harrison Smith

A Weinberg junior and Alpha Mu member who came to support the event and the community.

Tyler Gant

A Communication junior and Alpha Mu member who said basketball brings people together and allows them to have fun while giving back.

Care for Real

A Chicago-based nonprofit organization that combats food insecurity in low-income communities, which will receive a portion of the tournament's proceeds.

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What they’re saying

“People, when they come to college specifically, tend to feel like they miss something. That's why a lot of people turn to drugs and alcohol to kind of feed that emptiness, so we provide fun, alternative, and healthy ways for people to meet each other.”

— Adam Wiseman, Weinberg junior and Alpha Mu member

“We could have postponed it, but it's just about trying to have fun with each other at the end of the day, come together to do something for a good cause.”

— Harrison Smith, Weinberg junior and Alpha Mu member

“Being able to have fun and also give back to people who don't have as much as we do is everything.”

— Tyler Gant, Communication junior and Alpha Mu member

What’s next

The Alpha Mu Chapter plans to continue hosting the 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament annually as a way to build community and support local nonprofits.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates how Greek life organizations can leverage their resources and community connections to make a positive impact, both on their campuses and in the broader local community. By combining athletic competition, fundraising, and food donations, the Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha was able to foster a sense of togetherness while also addressing the critical issue of food insecurity.