It was not his first time participating in the Olin Cup, but the young Washington University alum was greeted with a much different result than last time. Eric Elias, who graduated with a degree in finance in 2007, took part in the competition in his senior year, but ran into technical issues that kept his group from being successful.

Exactly 200 men at Washington University accepted bids in the first week of February to become a member of one of 11 active social fraternities on campus. Four hundred and fifty-three men had registered online, although the actual numbers are estimated to be lower, said Dave Wallace, coordinator for Greek housing programs.