Greek News
Lambda Chi Alpha’s Kelley a Major Part of Lady Antebellum
Country music's hottest trio is Lady Antebellum, featurig co-lead singer Charles Kelley, a Lambda Chi from University of Georgia. The group was featured as the cover story in the Life section of the March 10th edition of USA Today as a result of its second album, Need You Now, selling a half-million copies in its first week in stores. Sales have now surpassed 1.2 million and hit songs off the album are now in the country top 20. The group, which is touring with Pi Kappa Alpha's Tim McGraw during much of 2010, recently received seven nominations for April's Academy of Country Music Awards show
Nominate Greeks for NIC All-Fraternity All-American Basketball & Baseball Teams
The North-American Interfraternity Conference will be announcing its annual All-Fraternity All-American selections on this website in the coming months. If you know of good intercollegiate players who are Greeks at any NCAA or NAIA school in either basketball or baseball, please send their names, fraternity afiliations and schools to Jay Langhammer at Jlangha132@aol.com. Watch lists in both sports will be posted in the Greeks in Sports sections in the near future. The basketball first team and honorable mention selections should be annoucned on this website in early April. Baseball first teamers and honorable mention picks should be announced in June after the College World Series. Since we select a Coach of the Year in each sport, you can also provide names of outstanding head coaches to be considered. To view past selections in each sport, click on the NIC website's PRESS ROOM link, then go to Greeks in Sports and scroll down to a sport.
Greek Broadcasters Will Update Us From the Winter Olympics
When the 21st Winter Olympics Games begin on NBC-TV from Vancouver, BC, several of the leading sports commentators in the fraternity world will be quite prominent. Returning to an Olympics telecast for the first time since the 1988 Games in Calgary is Al Michaels, a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at San Diego State. He will serve as host of NBC's daytime upates. Tom Hammond, a member of Kappa Alpha Order at the University of Kentucky, will be rinkside at the figure skating competiion and Cris Collinsworth, an Alpha Tau Omega from the University of Florida, will roam Vancouver and environments in search of things to report. Also visible on telecasts are interviewer Dan Patrick, a member of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Dayton, and ski jumps commentator Matt Vasgersian, a member of Chi Phi from University of Southern California.
Sigs Lead Saints to Super Bowl Success
Three members of Sigma Chi Fraternity helped lead the New Orleans Saints to a 31-17 victory over the favored Indianapolis Colts in the team's first-ever appearance in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Drew Brees, a Sig at Purdue University, was named Most Valuable Player after completing a record 32 passes in 39 attempts for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Saints head coach Sean Peyton, a member of Sigma Chi at Eastern Illinois University, sparked his club's comeback by calling for an onside kick at the start of the second half. Serving as the Saints deep snapper on a record three field goals over 40 yards was 15 year veteran Jason Kyle, a Sig from Arizona State University, who was in his first year with the Saints. Also savoring the New Orleans win were safety Darren Sharper, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi from William & Mary, and kick holder/quarterback Mark Brunell, a Lambda Chi Alpha from University of Washington. Serving as color commentator in the CBS-TV announcers booth was Phil Simms, a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon at Morehead State and a former Super Bowl MVP himself.
Three Greeks Chosen for Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's selection committee announced their 2010 induction class on Saturday and three alumni of NIC member fraternities were chosen. To be inducted in the Canton, OH Pro Hall of Fame in August are two Phi Beta Sigma alums, all-time NFL top receiver Jerry Rice from Mississippi Valley and all-time NFL leading rusher Emmitt Smith from the University of Florida. Former Denver Broncos great halfback Floyd Little, a member of Tau Delta Phi from Syracuse University, was the third Greek selected by the committee.
Five Greeks Chosen for the PFRA Hall of Very Good
The Professional Football Researchers Association, which began in 1979, announced eight new members for its Hall of Very Good and five of them are members of NIC fraternities. Since 2002, PFRA has been selecting outstanding players and coaches not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for its own Hall of Very Good. The new inductees are guard Bruno Banducci (Delta Chi), coach Blanton Collier (Kappa Alpha Order), end Boyd Dowler (Delta Tau Delta), defensive end Claude Humphrey (Phi Beta Sigma) and halfback Verne Lewellen (Sigma Phi Epsilon). To learn more about PFRA, visit www.profootballresearchers.org.
NIC CEO Pete Smithhisler Discusses the Value of Fraternity Membership
http://www.nicindy.org/uploads/files/Op_EdDaily_Journal.pdf
Alpha Sigma Phi’s Watson Wins Mitsubishi Electric Tournament
In the season-opening Champions Tour event of 2010, Tom Watson, a member of Alpha Sigma Phi at Stanford University, birdied the final two holes for a one-stroke victory at Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii. He won $315,000 in his 13th Champions Tour title and first victory in 34 events on a Hawaiian golf course
Greek Head Coaches to Battle in Super Bowl
The upcoming Super Bowl in Miami on February 7th will feature Sigma Chi's Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints against Kappa Alpha Psi's Jim Caldwell of the Indianapolis Colts, as a result of their teams winning conference championships on Sunday. In uniform for the Saints will be three members of NIC fraternities: quarterback Drew Brees of Sigma Chi, safety Darren Sharper of Kappa Alpha Psi and backup quarterback Mark Brunell of Lambda Chi Alpha. Longtime key assistant coaches for the Colts are offensive coordinator Tom Moore of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and offensive line coach Howard Mudd of Delta Tau Delta
Sigma Chi’s Andy Rooney Profiled in USA Today
A cover story in the January 14th USA Today Life section, entitled "A few minutes becomes 91 Years", discusses Andy Rooney's lengthy and successful career since first appearing on CBS-TV's Sixty Minutes as a summer replacement. When asked about retiring, he responds with his own question: "Retire? From what? Life?" Rooney joined Sigma Chi at Colgate University prior to being drafted by the Army. He wrote his first book in 1944 and his 16th book, Andy Rooney: 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit, was published in November.
2009 NIC All American Football Team
The NIC's annual selections are now on this website and can be viewed by clicking here or by going to Press Room/Greeks in Sports. There are two first teams, one for schools in NCAA FBS & FCS Divisions and one for NCAA Divisions II & III plus NAIA schools. A total of 18 NIC member fraternities are represented by players and coaches on our first teams and there are lengthy Honorable Mention lists of other outstanding 2009 college players.
Acacia’s Patterson Named AP Coach of the Year
After leading Texas Christian University to a 12-0 record and berth in the Fiesta Bowl, Gary Patterson has been named Associated Press Coach of the Year. A member of Acacia Fraternity at Kansas State, he is the first coach outside the six conferences with automatic BCS bids to win the honor. Previously, he was named Coach of the Year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and The Sporting News, in addition to winning the Woody Hayes and George Munger Awards.
Greeks Honored at NFF Awards Dinner
Over 1,500 guests were at Tuesday night's National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel as college football's past, present and future was celebrated. NFF Chairman Archie Manning (Sigma Nu) said "The National Football Foundation represents everything right about our great sport, and this night simply features the best and brightest of college football. The accomplishments of our 2009 honorees make us all proud and provide us the ultimate vehicle for coming together to celebrate a sport that has given so much to so many." The true highlight was the induction of the 2009 College Football Hall of Fame Class which included receiver Ken Margerum (Delta Upsilon) of Stanford, former Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta (Pi Kappa Alpha) of Miami and longtime USC coach John Robinson (Sigma Chi at Oregon). Former Georgia coach Vince Dooley (Phi Kappa Theta) formally inducted the class with the annual ring ceremony. The NFF's Gold Medal was presented to Nike Co-Founder and Chairman Phil Knight (Phi Gamma Delta). Honored as a member of the 2009 National Scholar-Athlete Class and Campbell Trophy finalist was Brown offensive tackle Paul Jasinowski (Theta Delta Chi).
Sigma Chi’s Urban Meyer Featured in Sports Illustrated
The December 7th issue of Sports Illustrated features a 10-page story on Florida head coach Urban Meyer, a member of Sigma Chi at the University of Cincinnati, who has led the Gators to two previous national championships and the number one ranking in this season's polls. The article mentions one of Urban's early mentors, Chi Phi alumnus Earle Bruce, who hired him as a graduate assistant at Ohio State for two years and later added him to the coaching staff at Colorado State. This weekend, the Gators clash with number-three ranked Alabama, led by quarterback Greg McElroy, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Sigma Kappa Foundation Names Executive Director
Sigma Kappa Foundation Welcomes New Executive Director
The Sigma Kappa Foundation Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Lisa Fedler Swiontek will assume the role of Executive Director of the Sigma Kappa Foundation effective December 1, 2009. Previously the position was held by Allison Lewis for nearly five years prior to her departure in June, when she joined Pursuant, a fundraising agency for nonprofits, as Vice President of Strategic Development.
Swiontek joins the Foundation staff with more than 15 years of experience in higher education and fundraising. Her professional career began as a campus-based Greek life professional, working in various capacities at Eastern Illinois University, Southeast Missouri State University and Bowling Green State University. After leaving the campus setting, Lisa maintained her focus on Greek life through a position as Director of Member Services with the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). She then expanded her skills in association management and fundraising while employed by the Indianapolis Bar Association and Indianapolis Bar Foundation. Most recently, Lisa served as the Associate Director of Corporate Relations at the Indiana University Foundation.
"I am excited about the opportunity to return to a professional role in Greek life, especially this position within the Sigma Kappa Foundation where I'll have the opportunity to utilize both my fundraising and Greek life backgrounds. I have a strong personal belief in the mission and vision of Sigma Kappa and look forward to engaging myself fully in fundraising and philanthropic efforts devoted to strengthening our sisterhood for years to come," says Swiontek.
Swiontek was initiated into Theta Omicron chapter at Arizona State University. Since graduation, she has maintained her connection to Sigma Kappa as a dedicated volunteer serving as chapter advisor for Gamma Mu, member of the Extension Team, Collegiate Province Officer and member of the Foundation's Development Committee.
"Having been acquainted with Lisa for several years through her volunteer service to our Sorority, I feel confident that she'll bring great passion and energy, in addition to a breadth of professional experience in Greek life and fundraising, to the role of Executive Director for the Foundation. Please join me in welcoming her to the staff," says Foundation President Madalyn Brand Teal, Ph.D.
In addition to Swiontek's professional career and volunteer service to Sigma Kappa, Lisa is active in the Indianapolis community, serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Jameson Camp, a United Way agency, and serving as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors Foundation. Swiontek holds a master's degree in college student personnel from Eastern Illinois University and a bachelor's degree in organizational communication with a minor in leadership development from Arizona State University.
KA’s Keller Wins Lifetime Award from Baseball Scouts Foundation
A man who spent more than 50 years in baseball has been named co-winner of the George Genovese lifetime achievement award in scouting from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation. Hal Keller, a member of Kappa Alpha Order at the University of Maryland, began his career as a minor league catcher following World War II, played three years in the major leagues, managed in the minors and ended up with a brilliant legacy of success in scouting and player development. He also served the Seattle Mariners as farm director, scouting director and, finally, general manager. Keller will be honored at the Foundation's annual awards dinner in January
A PIKE Lives His Ritual- After Losing His Legs, He Found a Cause
Vote for Jordan Thomas, a PIKE from College of Charleston, who after becoming a double amputee launched a fundraising foundation to provide life-changing prosthetics to children in need. Talk about living your Ritual! http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/23/amputee.advocate/
PIKE Selected in 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class
Michael S. Hopkins, a Pi Kappa Alpha from University of Illinois, was selected as part of NASA's 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class this summer. After reviewing more than 3500 applications, NASA has selected these nine men and women for the 2009 astronaut candidate class. They will begin training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, in August. To read to full story visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/ascans2009.html
SAE Legendary Filmmaker Wins Lifetime Academy Award
At the inaugural Governors Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, successful independent producer Roger Corman, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Stanford, was one of three film greats honored with lifetime achievement Academy Awards by the acting academy's Board of Directors. Corman was famous for his low budget films and for hiring talented kids trying to break into the film business. Among those who got their starts on his films were Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard.
KA’s Paul Johnson Featured in Sports Illustrated Story
Georgia Tech head football coach Paul Johnson, a member of Kappa Alpha Order at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, has led his Yellow Jackets to a 9-1 record and a #7 ranking in the BCS standings. His success story at Tech is discussed in a featured story titled "Options All Around" in the November 16th issue of Sports Illustrated. His high scoring, flexbone triple option offense is ranked second in the nation with 314.9 yards on the ground. Johnson first used the flexbone offense as an offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern in 1985 and used it during 11 seasons as head coach at Georgia Southern (five years) and Navy (six years)
2009 Greek College Football Coaches Announced
The NIC is pleased to announce the 2009 list of Greek Coaches in College Football.
Visit the Greeks in Sports section of the NIC website and learn about fraternity members who are finding success in sport.
2009 Greeks In Pro Football List Posted
The first list of Greeks in Professional Football has been posted. To check out the list click here
ATO College Football Star Spotlighted in USA Today
A recent "cover story" in USA Today's sports section featured running back DeRon Brown, a member of Alpha Tau Omega, at MIT. Through the team's first eight games, he averaged 170 yards per game to rank as the the ground gainer in NCAA Division III. A team captain, he has also been a Academic All-American as a computer science and engineering major.
ATO’s Joe Girardi Leads Yankees to a World Series Crown
Congratulations to New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a member of Alpha Tau Omega from Northwestern, who led his club to the 2009 World Series championship, the 27th in club history. The Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games, ending a nine year drought since the club's last title in 2000. Hitting a home run for the Phillies in the sixth game was first baseman Ryan Howard of Phi Beta Sigma.
Kansas State IFC bans hard liquor
Interfraternity Council bans hard liquor Monday night
By Danny Davis
K-State's Interfraternity Council met Monday night to vote on a hard liquor ban. Brandon Harder, IFC president, gave a few words before the Fraternity presidents voted to ban hard liquor in chapter houses.
The Interfraternity Council took final action Monday night by banning hard liquor within fraternities by a vote of 15-7-1.
This means that effective January 1, 2010, the only liquor allowed in fraternities will be beer.
Brandon Harder, IFC president, said the ban was in the works for eight months. Harder said he and Brandon Cutler, assistant director for Greek affairs, have attended long meetings weekly which are the root of his frustration with the rise in conflicts of hard liquor. Each Monday, the two meet for an hour and discuss events that transpired during the weekend. Recently, the meetings are filled with negativity because of this reappearing problem.
Pi Kappa Alpha President Justin Bastin, senior in family studies, human services and psychology was recently cited for noise violations and serving minors when the Riley County Police Department were informed of underage drinking at a party sponsored by Pi Kappa Alpha.
"I wasn't able to check all the identifications at the door," Bastin said.
He went on to say that the new ordinance was a violation of rights.
However, a majority of the IFC believed the ban was necessary. Some fraternity leaders believed that even if the ban did not prove effect at limiting the amount of hard alcohol, it will reduce the amount of risk a fraternity would have.
An e-mail from Pat Bosco, vice president of student life and dean of students, was read at the meeting by Harder.
"He's not taking a position folks, he's saying that our self governance is only as good as our decision-making ability," Harder said.
K-State administrators were not involved in the decision.
"The administration trusts that you will look at the big picture," said Tim Lindemuth, president of the Alumni Fraternity Council. "Many universities would not let you bring this to a vote and would hand a decision down."
Harder said by passing the ban on hard liquor, proponents believe they have taken a step in the right direction.
He also said Greek life at K-State is the best in the nation and they had identified a problem which they corrected.
Theta Delta Chi Football Player Wins National Scholar-Athlete Award
The Natonal Football Foundation has chosen Brown University offensive lineman Paul Jasinkowski, a member of Theta Delta Chi, as one of 16 current college players who will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. An Ivy League Honor Roll member with a 3.70 GPA, he is now a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and will be honored at the NFF's December 8th Awards dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Coalition Assessment Project Explores College’s Greek Community
The College of William and Mary's Greek community is under review.
A three-member team from the Coalition Assessment Project arrived at the College Oct. 14 for a two-day visit for the third phase of an assessment of the state of the Greek community. The assessment is a part of the larger movement to evaluate the health of fraternities and sororities nationwide.
"While [the CAP team members] were here, they met with a myriad of campus resource officers and offices, ranging from the Office of the President to Campus Police to Residence Life," Inter-Sorority Council President Tildi Sharp '10 said in an e-mail to The Flat Hat.
The team also toured housing facilities and met with representatives from Facilities Management, the Campus Health Center and the Office Student Diversity, in addition to holding forums with Greek and non-Greek students.
Sharp said some of the key issues discussed in the forums were Greek special interest housing, risk management and how the rest of the campus views the Greek community.
"The housing issue is one place where the sorority and fraternity communities have different priorities; generally, the sororities are satisfied with their housing while it is well known that the fraternities are, generally, unsatisfied," Sharp said in an e-mail. "Students and the administration discussed potential solutions with the CAP team. As far as alcohol policies are concerned, many individuals have issues with the existing policies."
The CAP team closed with an exit interview with the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is composed of members of the College community. The BRC essentially functions as a liaison between the Coalition Assessment Project and the campus Greek community.
"Some of the wrap-up questions made me feel very aware that they honed in ... [such as] 'What makes [the Greek life experience] relevant for a William and Mary student?'" Associate Director of Student Activities Anne Arseneau '89 said. "I think what we will learn from this is, here are some things we will do very well, and here are some challenges ahead of us, and here are some things we need to start thinking about."
Arseneau is one of the members of the BRC. Others include Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler '88 Ph.D. '06 and faculty representatives.
"We wanted two chapter advisers, one from a fraternity and one from a sorority [in the BRC]. We had younger members we perceived to be emerging leaders. We wanted student representation," Arseneau said. "We wanted a representative from ResLife. We identified the places where we needed representatives present, and we identified people we thought would be a good fit."
According to Sharp, CAP is a cohesive effort by the Association of Fraternity Advisors, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, the National Panhellenic Conference, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the North-American Interfraternity Conference to evaluate the status of every Greek community in the country within 10 years. The College is participating within the first three years of CAP.
"Our decision to host it was based on the national initiative," Arseneau said. "The expectation is that we will participate in this at some point. It seemed like the right time. It is an internal opportunity for fraternities and sororities to look at themselves. Overall the health of the national fraternity and sorority experience is [such] that, if we don't take care of the health of our fraternities and sororities, we are not going to last very long."
The assessment project is a four-phase process. A university campus first signs a letter of agreement and appoints a BRC. The second phase involves the compilation of information and data about the five focuses of the program: the development of positive interpersonal relationships, the advancement of leadership development, the strengthening of social IQ, the advancement of academic interest and the effective campus interface with and support of the Greek community.
The data needs to be received by CAP before its campus visit, which is the third phase. The fourth phase is to follow up on the final report from CAP. Arseneau expects the College to receive the final report by December, approximately six weeks after the visit.
"The Blue Ribbon Committee is the group that will definitely convene to review the recommendations," Arseneau said. "I think the ISC and the [Council for Fraternity Affairs] will also have huge responsibilities for reviewing the report and implementing the report. That is all sort of hypothetical until we have the recommendations. We can see what resonates for us and what is important for us to look at."
CFA President David Cooper '10 could not be reached for comment.
According to Arseneau, CAP evolved from a meeting five or six years ago from the group Franklin Square.
"It was the original conversation between university presidents worried about the health of the fraternity and sororities residents, which evolved into the Coalition Assessment Program," Arseneau said.
Arseneau stressed that the College was not involved in the original group.
"Hopefully, the CAP team can provide insight as to how policies might be modified so that students feel they are less oppressive yet the policies still adhere to the law and to national organizations' policies," Sharp said in an e-mail. " The Greek community is constantly striving to put forth an inclusive, productive, and positive image, but it is clear that that is not always the perception of the Greek community."
By Ameya Jammi October 27, 2009
Full article available: http://flathatnews.com/content/71927
Nominate Players for 2009 All-NIC Football Teams
Please send the names of current standout collegiate players from all NCAA or NAIA divisions so they can be considered for the 2009 NIC All-Fraternity All-American Football Teams. A watch list of current nominees is on this website's Greeks in Sports link in the College Football category. Please send names, schools and fraternity affiliations to Jay Langhammer at Jlangha132@aol.com so players can be considered. The watch list will be updated as new nominations are received. Final selections will be announced on this website in mid-January after the bowl games.
Delta Upsilon’s Royal Wins Amos AlonzoStagg Award
Former University of Texas head coach Darrell Royal, a member of Delta Upsilon, has been selected as the 2010 winner of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award presented annually by the American Football Coaches Association. The award, which is named for the Psi Upsilon legendary coach, will be presented to Royal January 12th at the AFCA's convention in Orlando. Royal won 167 games and three national championships during his Texas years from 1957 to 1976.
ATO Country Singer Lands in Guiness Book of World Records
To promote his latest CD, Big Dreams & High Hopes, Jack Ingram, a member of Alpha Tau Omega at SMU, kicked off a marathon of non-stop radio interviews with 215 stations across the U.S., as well as in Canada, Ireland and Australia. In addition to getting the world out by literally talking about himself for 24 hours straight, Ingram's staying power landed him in the Guiness Book for "most consecutive radio interviews in a 24-hour period". The previous record holder only did 96 consecutive interviews.
NFF Announces Semifinalists for National Scholar-Athlete Awards
The National Football Foundation announced candidates for 2009 National Scholar-Athlete Awards, with the winner to receive the William V. Campbell Trophy. All are seniors or graduate students with a GPA of at least 3.2, strong leadership skills and outstanding football ability. The NFF will announce up to 15 finalists on October 29th and winners will be honored at the Foundation's annual New York dinner in early December. Semifinalists from NIC member fraternities are Taylor Byrne, Gettysburg Sigma Alpha Epsilon; Alex Fitch, DePauw Delta Tau Delta; Paul Jasinowski, Brown Theta Delta Chi; Sean Kitts, Drake Pi Kappa Alpha; Daniel Kohl, Washington & Lee Pi Kappa Phi; Josh Kreske, Carnege Mellon Beta Theta Pi; Paul McCall, Florida International Phi Gamma Delta; John Peters, Union Theta Delta Chi; and Joe Tronzo, Louisville Pi Kappa Alpha.
Former Big League Manager Returns to ESPN After Stint in Japan
Sigma Chi's Bobby Valentine has ended a six-year run as a manager in Japan's Pacific League and will be back on ESPN as an analyst on Baseball Tonight during the league championship series and the World Series. ESPN also announced that the former Rangers and Mets manager will assume a larger role on the network in the 2010 season.
IFC Recruitment- What did you campus do well?
As fraternities across the nation are welcoming new brothers into their chapters- we want to know what chapters on your campus did well. Did a chapter do some unique PR? Host an event that really stood out? What about your IFC? Did they try something new this year and have great success?
Brag about your fraternity men. We want to hear about it! Log-in and visit: http://www.nicindy.org/forums/viewthread/11/
Kappa Alpha Psi Rhodes Scholar Teams With U.S. Department of the Interior
Former Florida State All-American defensive back Myron Rolle of Kappa Alpha Psi is working with the Dept. of the Interior on a program aimed at improving the health and physical fitness of American Indians. While at FSU, he started a foundation while working with the Seminole tribe. His foundation and the Dept. of the Interior will fund the "Our Way to Health" programs at five Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools in Arizona and New Mexico this fall. Rolle begins his medical anthropology studies at Oxford soon and hopes to play pro football after his time at Oxford.
SAE Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ernie Harwell Says Goodbye to Fans
The September 23rd USA Today featured a sports section cover story on Ernie Harwell of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, who said goodbye to 56,000 Detroit Lions fans last Sunday following an earlier farewell to Detroit Tigers fans at Comerica Park last week. The 91-year-old, who called baseball games for 55 years (including 42 with the Tigers), has incurable cancer and several months to live. Harwell and wife Lulu, who's 90 and in good health, have been married for 68 years after meeting in college at Emory University. She had been dating another SAE, met Harwell and invited him to a dance. Harwell's father was editor of SAE's The Record at one time
Three Greeks in 2009 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame Induction Class
September 19, 2009 Delt Fan Catches Foul Ball for Daughter, But She Throws It Back
At a recent Philadelphia Phillies home game versus the Washington Nationals, Steve Monforto, a Stevens Tech Delta Tau Delta alumnus, caught his fist-ever foul ball, hit by Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. He was sitting in upper deck seats with his wife Kathleen and three-year old daughter Emily. After high fives and crowd cheers, he handed the ball proudly to Emily, who promptly threw it forward into the lower deck. Steve then gave his daughter a big hug and the entire sequence, whic was shown on the game telecast, was picked nationally by sports networks, the Internet and Major League Baseball's website. Several days later, the entire Monforto family appeared on the "Today" show and were given Phillies jerseys by Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera. Fortunately, no one in the lower deck was hit by Emily's throw and the Phillies replaced the foul ball with another game ball.
Pi Kappa Alpha’s Nielsen Wins Dick’s Sporting Goods Open
Golfer Lonnie Nielsen, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha from University of Iowa, shot a 9-under 63 in the final round to win $247,500 at the Dick's Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, NY. He finished the Champions Tour three-round tournament with a 21-under total of 195 strokes, the lowest winning score in the three year history of the event. It was Nielsen's second win since joining the Champions Tour in 2005, having previously won the 2007 Commodore Bank Championship.
Four Greeks Chosen for 2009 Texas Sports Hall of Fame Class
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, TX announced it's 2009 induction class and four alumni of NIC member fraternities were selected. They are former AFL co-founder and Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams (Sigma Chi); former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley (Sigma Chi); former major league pitcher Burt Hooton (Kappa Alpha Order); and Cowboys defensive end Harvey Martin (Kappa Alpha Psi).
Country Music Artists Cranking Out New CDs
Within the last several months, a number of country singers have released new CDs for their fans, including "Greatest Hits II" by Kenny Chesney (Lambda Chi Alpha) and "To You and Yours", a 32 track "best of" import by George Hamilton IV (Kappa Alpha Order). In the last three weeks, Willie Nelson (Tau Kappa Epsilon) has released two CDs: "Lost Highway" and "American Classic". Other recent new titles in stores are "Big Dreams & High Hopes" by Jack Ingram (Alpha Tau Omega) and "Slide on Over Here" by Steve Azar (Pi Kappa Alpha). Next up are "Revival" on August 31st by Radney Foster (Phi Gamma Delta) and "Doin' My Thing" on October 6th by Luke Bryan (Sigma Chi). Tim McGraw (Pi Kappa Alpha) has also announced a fall release for his newest untitled CD.
Greek Featured on Parade Magazine Cover for Second Straight Week
The August 9th edition of Parade featured Brad Pitt on it's cover and a comprehensive inside feature titled "Inside The Private World of Brad Pitt". The University of Missouri Sigma Chi is now starring in the new major film "Inglorious Basterds", which reaches theaters on August 21st. It's a World War II revenge fanatasy about a squad of Jewish-American soldiersin occupied France and he's a squad commander.
Panel Ranks Beta Theta Pi’s John Wooden as Best Coach Ever
In its current issue, The Sporting News announced results of a panel of 118 distinguised coaches who chose the 50 greatest U.S. coaches from all sports. Topping the list was UCLA basketball coach John Wooden of Beta Theta Pi, who won 10 NCAA titles in a 12-year span. Among the other 19 Greeks selected: #3-"Bear" Bryant (Sigma Nu); #4 Phil Jackson (Sigma Alpha Epsilon); #6-"Red" Auerbach (Tau Epsilon Phi); #8-Dean Smith (Phi Gamma Delta); #12-Paul Brown (Delta Kappa Epsilon); #13-Joe Paterno (Delta Kappa Epsilon); #14 George Halas (Tau Kappa Epsilon); #18-Tom Landry (Delta Kappa Epsilon); #20-Bill Belichick (Chi Psi); #23-Eddie Robinson (Alpha Phi Alpha); #24-Bobby Bowden (Pi Kappa Alpha); #27-Woody Hayes (Sigma Chi); #29-Bud Wilkinson (Psi Upsilon); #30-Pat Rlley (Sigma Nu); #31-Pete Newell (Phi Kappa Tau); #36-"Bo" Schembechler (Sigma Alpha Epsilon); #40-Amos Alonzo Stagg (Psi Upsilon); #47-Hank Iba (Lambda Chi Alpha); and #48-Tommy LaSorda (Pi Kappa Phi).
Delta Chi’s Ashton Kutcher Featured in Parade
The cover story, "I'm Still Looking for Trouble", in Parade magazine's edition on Sunday focused on the growing career of actor Ashton Kutcher. The Delta Chi initiate left the University of Iowa in1997 to get into modeling in New York, before moving to Hollywood for a film and TV career. His next film is entitled "Spread" and he has also become a successful producer at the age of 31.
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.
SAE Head Coach Sets Record for Most NBA Titles
After leading his Los Angeles Lakers squad to another National Basketball Association championship, Phil Jackson, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at North Dakota, has now passed the late Red Auerbach of Tau Epsilon Phi as the alltime leading coach with 10 titles. Auerbach won nine championships while leading the Boston Celtics between 1957 and 1966.
Former AT&T CEO Becomes Chairman of the New GM
Ed Whitacre, a Texas Tech 1964 graduate and member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, has come out of retirement to take over as chairman of General Motors. He retired as CEO of AT&T in 2007 after 17 years and overseeing a dozen major deals valued at $287 million. When asked to explain why he's joining the high-profile fight to save GM, Whitacre said "GM is a great company and part of the fabric of this country. It shouldn't be allowed to go away. I'd like to help and I think I can. So I just decided to do it."
Kappa Alpha Psi Pro Football Star Featured in Sports Illustrated
The June 15th issue of Sports Illustrated has a four page feature story on one of the National Football League's top cornerbacks, Nnamdi Asomugha, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The story, entitled "A Name Worth Knowing" profiles one of the NFL's highest-paid players who has been involved with numerous civic causes, met with several former presidents and even addressed the United Nations.
Stanford Delt Pitcher is 10th Player Chosen in Baseball Draft
The Washington Nationals selected relief specialist Drew Storen, a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Stanford University, as the 10th selection in the first round of major league baseball's annual summer draft. ESPN draft specialist Keith Law predicted Storen would be with the big league club within a year. He led the Stanford team in wins, saves and earned run average on the way to All-Pacific-10 Conference first team honors.
