Greek News
Sigma Chi Big Leaguer Ties Major League Record
Washington Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham, a Sigma Chi from University of North Alabama, became just the 13th major league player to hit two grand slam home runs in the same game. He drove in eight of the team's 14 runs on July 27th versus the Milwaukee Brewers and it was the first time since 2003 that the feat had been accomplished. The only previous Greek to hit two grand slams in a game was Tau Kappa Epsilon's Jim Northrup of the Detroit Tigers on June 24, 1968.
Sigma Chi’s Ringler Named Football Bowl Game’s Executive Director
The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl has named Sigma Chi alumnus Brant Ringler, a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, as its new executive director. He had spent the previous five years as chief marketing director for the Fort Worth, Texas-based bowl game which is televised by ESPN. Ringler joined the Armed Forces Bowl staff in November of 2004 after four seasons as vice president of marketing & sales for the Fort Worth Cats minor league baseball team.
SAE Governor Plays Host to the National Governors Association Meeting
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Mississippi, has become chairman again of the Republican National Committee and, for the first time, the Republican Governors Association. He recently hosted the bi-partisan National Governors Association meeting in Biloxi, MS., which allowed him to show off how the Mississippi Gulf Coast has recovered under his leadership since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Over the next two years, Barbour will oversee his party's efforts in more than three dozen gubernatorial races.
Alpha Sigma Phi’s Watson Finishes Second at British Open
After leading through most of the British Open, Tom Watson, an Alpha Sigma Phi from Stanford who had won five previous British Opens, lost a four round playoff but still earned a huge payday of $732,603 for his second place finish. His last British Open victory was in 1983 and, at age 59, was trying to become the oldest player to ever win a major tournament. Tying for fifth place at the Open was Sigma Chi's Luke Donald, who won $255,597. In another weekend tournament, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, a member of Sigma Pi, shot a final round 71 to place second at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Stateline, Nevada.
Delt Wrestler Named Winner of the Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year Award
The Big Ten Conference recently selected Northwestern University two-time NCAA wrestling champion Jake Herbert, a member of Delta Tau Delta, as the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year Award as the top Big Ten male athlete in any sport. Following the conclusion of the wrestling season, he also won the Hodge Trophy as the most dominant collegiate performer and was named 2009 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year. In September, Herbert will be on the U.S. national team that will compete at the World championships in Denmark.
Two Greeks Have Second Place Finishes in Weekend Pro Golf Tourneys
At the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Silvis, IL, Brandt Snedeker of Kappa Alpha Order tied for second place honors and won $321,067. Placing eighth and winning $133,300 was Kevin Streelman of Delta Sigma Phi. Placing second on the Champions Tour's 3M Championship tournament was Andy Bean of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, who earned $154,000.
