My fondest memories include: (a) ISLANDER; (b) our chapter, Lambda Tau, winning the Condon Cup, my senior year (1979), for the Most Improved Chapter in the Nation; (c) my wife, LeAnn, being there for all the lunacy; (d) living with Matt Bailes, may he rest in peace; (e) 33 members of my JM class; (f) playing the hated and much despised Phi Delts in Jones Stadium for the Intramural Football Championship in the fall of 1978; (g) J.W. and the LIME; (h) King J.D. Alfred, who inspired the tune, “God Bless Jimmy Alfred”; (i) the older guys, Barry, Mark and Ed, to name a few, who helped us get in and get squared away; (j) the Hurley Brothers (Dan, Kirby and Les); (k) Bailes Bugles and Curtis Criers; (l) Spaghetti Suppers; (m) the reel-to-reel recorder in the office/microphone in girls’ bathroom; (n) Grape Ape; (o) Wurstfest; (p) The Der; (q) Stubbs Bar-B-Q; (r) Party Time Photos; (s) Ekklesia at Mackinac Island, Michigan; (t) Fight Night; (u) Uncle Nasty’s; and, last, but not least (v) my lifelong brothers: the Mad Israeli, Dee Dee, Pepe, Horsehead, Mule, Big H, Bunda, Misey, Hank, Nero, Ed, Mal, Rut, Clayboy and Stumpy, to name a few. (I love you guys.)
The value of a fraternity is establishing lifetime friendships and I am fortunate to have many brothers who I still see, talk to and interact with on a very regular basis. My wedding was a Fiji affair. I thank Phi Gamma Delta for giving me a place to begin the difficult journey toward becoming a husband and father; but, most of all, I am thankful that the Fraternity helped us become better men.
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