The four men representing Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity strode onto the stage Saturday night wearing dress shirts and suspenders and carrying newspapers and briefcases.

“Preparations have been made,” said Derek Gardner, Alpha member and junior from Evansville, Ind. “There’s only one thing left to do. Let’s take care of business.”

The Alpha’s performance earned them the first place award for the second year in a row at the Homecoming Step Show at Diddle Arena.

In the sorority division, Alpha Kappa Alpha also repeated as champion. The sorority’s “Your Wish is Our Command” theme included genie-like costumes complete with pink boots.

“Winning the title for the second year in a row was the perfect touch to add to the celebration of the chapter’s 35th anniversary,” said Tameka Miles, AKA member and Louisville senior. “I was really nervous as we were waiting for the results.”

Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Omega Psi Phi fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity also competed.

The audience saw a variety of costumes and heard slow, steady beats and quick, precise rhythms. Some steps imitated beats from popular songs, and others were traditional trademark steps.

Dewayne Harris, a former student, said he enjoyed the performances by the Sigmas and the Deltas.

“The Deltas did something really different with the elephant,” he said, referring to the elephant mascot of the Delta’s baseball theme.

Lemarceo Shemwell, an Omega Psi Phi member and junior from Evansville, Ind., said that even though his fraternity didn’t win, it benefited from the experience.

“We practiced since the beginning of September,” he said, “It brought us together even more. Practicing night after night made us more like brothers.”

Herald reporter Ashlee Clark contributed to this story.

Reach Dedra McDowell at [email protected].