It’s been three years since psychology freshman Karen King was murdered while on winter break.

And on Sunday, several fraternities, sororities and athletes came to campus to remember Saginaw’s King - and to play some soccer.

The Chi Omega sorority sponsored the first annual Karen King Chi Omega Kick Off, with 17 fraternities participating. Donations were made from businesses throughout the state.

The men’s soccer team from Saginaw Arthur Hill, the high school King attended, also played.

“I have always wanted to do something in remembrance of her,” said Sara Davis, King’s friend and former roommate who graduated from MSUin May.

“This is my way of making a positive contribution.”

Davis and members of Chi Omega organized the event that will donate approximately $700 to the Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center, 423 Albert Ave., a free phone service that provides confidential assistance to people in a crisis situation.

“We wanted to make a donation to something that Karen would approve of,” Davis said.

In the future, proceeds will be distributed to various children’s organizations, since King always wanted to work with children.

King was abducted Jan. 3, 1997, by Shytour and August Williams at a grocery store where she had gone to pick up dinner ingredients. She was strangled and forced into her Chevrolet Blazer. Her body was later dumped.

The two men were convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, carjacking, armed robbery, kidnapping and possession of a firearm for their involvement in her death. Both face life in prison without opportunity for parole.

And Sunday’s tournament was a fitting tribute to King. Being in its first year, Davis was thrilled with the event’s turnout. More than 100 MSU students took part, and many didn’t even know King.

Linda King, Karen’s mother, had never seen a soccer game before Sunday. But she said she was glad so many people came together to honor the memory of her daughter.

King said she had a blast, and was cheering loudly for the Arthur Hill team to triumph.

“The turnout is absolutely unbelievable,” she said. “Hopefully we can have even more people involved in the future.”

And that’s the hope of members of Chi Omega.

“This is the first time we have done this,” said Jillan Bellows, a human biology junior and philanthropy chairperson for the sorority. “But we hope to make this an annual tradition because everyone is having so much fun.”

Having fun was the focus of the soccer tournament, even though it was held in remembrance of the victim of a tragic murder.

“This is just a great time,” said Anthony Toft, a marketing junior and Kappa Sigma fraternity member who’s also from Saginaw.

Lisa Farone, the president for Chi Omega, said response from those participating has been positive.

“This is a great image for the greek system,” Farone, an advertising senior, said.

“Everyone is working together and just having a great time.”

For more information, contact Janet Chegwidden at (517) 353-9785.