Greek News
Several Greeks Play in 2011 Pro Bowl
In a loosely-played, high scoring game, the National Football Conference All-Stars beat the American Football Conference All-Stars, 55-41. Seeing action for the winning NFL squad were Saints quarterback Drew Brees, a member of Sigma Chi at Purdue; nose tackle Jay Ratliff, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha from Auburn; and deep snapper Zak DeOssie, a Theta Delta Chi from Brown. Kicking for the AFC squad was Billy Cundiff, a Phi Gamma Delta from Drake. Chosen but unable to play due to injury was Oakland Raiders defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi from Californiaj-Berkeley. Green Bay Packers Offensive tackle Chad Clifton, a Pi Kappa Alpha from Tennessee-Martin, was chosen but is a Super Bowl participant instead.
Greeks Play in Football All-Star Games
Over the last two weekends, six Greek football standouts from the 2010 season played in the two major all-star games for college seniors. On January 22nd, the East-West Game took place in Orlando, FL with the East winning, 25-8. Playing for the East squad was offensive tackle Will Rackley, a Delta Upsilon from Lehigh University. Seeing action for the West squad were California-Berkeley linebacker Michael Mohamed, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Stanford wide receiver Ryan Whalen, a Delta Tau Delta member. The January 29th Senior Bowl Game was won by the South squad, 24-10. Playing for the North team was Stanford fullback Owen Marecic, a member of Delta Tau Delta, while the winning South squad featured Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Miami-Florida linebacker Colin McCarthy, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha.
Three Greeks Waiting to Hear Hall of Fame Results
In mid-January, seventeen finalists were announced as candidates for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class for 2011. The senior committee selected Les Richter, a member of Phi Gamma Delta at California-Berkeley as one of its two candidates. The other two Greeks from the modern-era finalists are both members of Alpha Phi Alpha: DE/LB Chris Doleman from the University of Pittsburgh and DE Charles Haley from James Madison University. The newest Hall of Famers will be announced on February 5th.
Alpha Sigma Phi’s Tom Watson Places Third in Champions Tour Event
In the PGA's season-opening Champions Tour event, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Kaupuleha-Kona, Hawaii, the defending winner from last year, Tom Watson, placed third with a 197 total for three rounds (64-65-68). The Alpha Sigma Phi alumnus from Stanford University won $130,000.
Pi Kappa Alpha’s Bobby Bowden Wins Two Awards
Since retring as head football coach at Florida State, Bobby Bowden, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha at Samford, has stayed in the public eye with an autobiography last fall and ongoing appearances in Discover Card TV commercials. On January 11th at the American Football Coaches annual convention in Dallas, he was awarded the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award for his outstanding service in the best interest of football. A week later on January 18th, Bpwden received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the American Heart Association at the Bryant College Football Coaching Awards dinner. Bryant was a member of Sigma Nu at Alabama.
Beta Golfer Ties for Second at Sony Open
In one of the first pro golf tournaments of 2011, Steve Marino, a member of Beta Theta Pi from the University of Virginia, tied for second place in the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Honolulu. His four round total of 266 (65-67-66-68) earned him a payday of $484,000 to start off the year.
NIC Announces All-Fraternity Football Team
The North-American Interfraternity Conference is pleased to announce the first teams and honorable mention lists for NCAA Division I FBS/FCS and NCAA Divisions II-III/NAIA. Among the honorees are NCAA Academic All-American of the Year Greg McElroy of Alabama, Paul Hornung Award winner Owen Marecic of Stanford, Gagliardi Trophy Winner Eric Watt of Trine, Jim Thorpe Trophy finalist Tejay Johnson of TCU and Lou Groza Award finalist Danny Hrapmann of Southern Mississippi. Nominations were submitted by various fraternity headquarters, Greek advisors and sports information directors at schools, in addition to research done by selector Jay Langhammer. Click here for the complete list of honorees and teams.
Stanford Delt Owen Marecic Wins Paul Hornung Award
The Louisville Sports Commission has named Stanford University's Owen Marecic of Delta Tau Delta as the winner of the inaugural Paul Horning Award as the most versatile player in college football during the 2010 season. He played both ways, averaging about 110 plays a game as a tough-blocking fullback who scored five touchdowns and linebacker who was fifth with 51 tackles. Marecic will receive the award and be honored at a dinner in Louisville on January 25th.
Hall of Famer Elway Joins Broncos Front Office
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, a member of Delta Tau Delta at Stanford, has been hired as executive vice president of football operations by Denver Broncos team owner Pat Bowlen, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha from Oklahoma. Elway's first task is leading the search for a new head coach while a long range goal will be re-connecting the Broncos with their disenchanted fan base following the worst season (4-12) in the team's 51-year history.
Greek Players and Coaches Starring in the Bowl Games
The Rose Bowl featured the TCU Horned Frogs, led by head coach Gary Patterson of Acacia, who took his squad to a big 21-19 win over Wisconsin and 13-0 final record. Scoring the first touchdown of the Rose Bowl on a 23-yard pass was Lambda Chi Alpha's Bart Johnson while the Frogs defense was led by safety Tejay Johnson of Alpha Phi Alpha, co-leader with 10 tackles. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was named Capital One Bowl Most Valuable Player after completing 13 of 17 for 220 yards as the Crimson Tide beat Michigan State, 49-7. Also starting for 'Bama were center William Vlachos of Kappa Alpha Order and safety Will Lowery of Phi Gamma Delta.
First year head coach Jimbo Fisher of Pi Kappa Alpha led his Florida State Seminoles to their 10th win, a 26-17 viictory over South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Named as Player of the Game was FSU cornerback Greg Reid of Pi Kappa Alpha, who broke up four passes, made five tackles and had three kickoff or punt returns for 71 yards. Also in the starting lineup for the Seminoles were center Ryan McMahon of Theta Chi and safety Nick Moody of Pi Kappa Alpha. Prominent for Stanford in its 40-12 Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech were Delta Tau Delta's Owen Marecic, who rushed for a TD and made five stops, including a sack, as a linebacker. Also starting for Stanford were Delt co-captain Ryan Whalen, who caught two passes, and offensive guard Andrew Phillips of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
These coaches and players, along with hundreds of others, are under consideration for the NIC's annual All-Fraternity All-American Football Team selections, which will be announced on this website following the BCS championship game.
