BROADWAY V. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OMEGA CHAPTER - FOUNDED 1866 NEWSLETTER BY THE OMEGA BROTHERHOOD OF PHI GAMMA DELTA 538 WEST 114th STREET NEW YORK, N.Y. 10025 FRATERNra OB PHI GAMMA'DELT» 1 ^Avv vIn ^W Mh S S ? %W \r\nOMEGA CHAPTER 538 West 114th Street New York, New York 10025 MICHAEL J. HORVATH President LAWRENCE P. ZARIAN Corresponding Secretary JAMES E. O'DONNELL ALBERT C. SWAIN Treasurer Recording Secretary PAUL A. MONDOR Historian DANIEL F. CROWLEY, JR. Purple Legionnaire September 17, 1972 Dear Brothers, I must apologize for the time that has elapsed between the past issue and this current issue of the Broadway Fiji. No apo logies are necessary, however, in regard to other aspects con cerning the welfare of the Omega Chapter, Rush, for example, has started off this fall equally as successful as last spring's rush had ended, and the trend appears to be continuing on the upward swing. The reasons for this reversal from past years are several-fold, Pamphratria, Colvimbia's interfraternity council, has emerged from the depths of obscurity to a prominent role on campus, FIJI has been able to capitalize on this renaissance through the use of smokers and parties sponsored jointly by Phi Gam and the other fraternities. This publicity promoting fraternities in general and our own publicity ( namely parties, smokers, and the undeni able fact that we have the best group of guys on campus ) has helped rush immensely. Last spring, we pledged seven freshman and were able to ini tiate five new brothers, who comprized the most enthusiastic pledge class this house has seen in quite a few years. With their energies and the experience of our upperclassmen, I can't help but smile at the prospects for the upcoming year. Nonetheless, we must not be complacent. Our present num ber of members is small, while this year's graduating class will be large. Therefore, it is at this point that I seek the help of our graduate brothers. Our budget is presently at a minimum. Dollars, of course, would help, but a more concerted effort on the part of our altirani to attend our f\mctions would augment the enthusiasm already present in the undergraduate ranks along with helping us in our financial bind. This year's football team has been predicted to do great things, iVhat better way is there to celebrate a Columbia victory than to drink, reminisce, and meet your new brothers at the chapter house? It is on this note that I will end , with a sincere wish of seeing all of you af ter the Fordham game or whenever your schedules will allow during the upcoming year. Pergel Fraternally, Michael John Horvath \r\n- 3 - COCKfAIL ?ARTIi;S Along with the expected success of the Colvunbia Lion football team. Omega is looking forward to its post-game cocktail parties at the chapter house, fhere will be five cocktail parties this fall, one after evej?y home game, Phe first will be on September 30, after the Pordham game, Phe Homecoming cocktail party will be October li| following a crucial Ivy League battle with Harvard, 'Phe cocktail parties are a fine Fiji tradition and are enjoyed as much as or perhaps more than the games themselves I Omega hospitality will be in full force and it will be a great way of renewing old ties with brothers and of meeting the new brothers, «/e look forward to seeing you all, FOOTBALL Phis autumn season of collegiate football brings high hopes to the Columbia campus, rfith a successful year behind them (a near miss of the Ivy League title) Head Coach Frank Navarro and his staff hope for a better showing this year, Phe brothers of Fiji are well represented on this year's team. Brother Pat Sharkey, '73C, of Dayton, Ohio is entering his third year as starter in the defensive backfield. Brother A1 Swain '73C, of sifilson, N,C, is a third year veteran of the squad and a contender for the starting spot at center. Brother Paul Mondor i/Voonsocket, Rhode Island, having spent part c of last year injured, is now making great strides towards attaining a starting role at linebacker. All three upperclassmen have shown tremendous desire and competitive spirit in their years on the squad and from such dedication has come the rise of Columbia football fortunes. In addition to our three upper class Fijis, two sophomores are presently members of the varsity squad. Brother Fred Onello '75c, of Union City, 17,J,, is learning the tackle position. He is planning for a starting position on next year's squad. Brother Tom Herlihy '75C, of the Bronx,N,Y, is working at the split end position. Both sophomores are working hard to budge the starters and ae looking ahead to their future years on the squad, 'The Omega chapter has fine representation on this year's squad, a squad that has been picked hj many to be the Ivy League champs, rfe urge all brothers of Omega, old and new, to attend this year's opening game on September 30 against Fordham at Baker Field, OTHER SPORTS TRACK Now that the summer is breathing its last, the minds of many sporting men are already in tune with the upcoming foot ball season, but there are those who exhibit their skills on other teams who are worthe mentioning. Last spring, the Omega \r\n- k - chapter boasted an impressive group of men on the track team. Senior Lf^rry Lasoff was a co-captain of the team and a sprinter. Other letter winning veterans included senior co-captain Dwayne Dahl and sophomore Vinny Marchewka, both middle distance ininners and members of the two mile relay team that broke the indoor and outdoor Columbia records for that event. Other FIJI representatives include sophomore hurdler Howie Green a sophomore. and weight men Bob Lawson, a junior, and Carl Yirka, Bob puts the shot and throws the discus while Carl also heaves the shot and performs in the indoor thirty-five pound weight throw, CREvV Crew is another sport that is represented at FIJI, Mike Horvath, president of the Omega chapter, is a survivor of many blisters and freezing days on the Harlem and has not entirely ruled out the possibility of taking part in this demanding sport for the duration of his senior year, Henry Billingsley was a member of the Freshman Heavyweight crew and was a representative of Colva|bia at the I.R,A,'s held at Syracuse last June. These two men may very well be important elements for a successful year for the Columbia crew. PAMPHRATRIA Pamphratria, Col\imbia's Intrafraterhity Council, is currently engaged in a n\araber of projects which ultimately should raise the status of fraternities on campus. Over the summer, the Co\incil managed to get a ^7500 debt to the university erased (dating back to 194'8) and established a Fraternity Development Fund to aid those houses with seasonal economic prolilems; the university has given credit to Pamphratria in the amount of s?1000 to start this program, »/e officers are seeking gifts from several institutions to augment this sum. In October Pamphratria will be sponsereing a music concert featuring Sha-Na-Na to partially offset the initial loan, Pamphratria is now negotiating with the university with the legal counsel of its graduate equivalent organization for the renewal of leases on houses owned by the school, 'The aim of this project is to establish a contract that will force the university to be more responsible as landlords in repairing many of the delapidated buildings. By the way, it was this organization that obtained the house for the new BlaCxC fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha, FIJI, obviously, will not benefit directly due to the ownership of its own house. However, as a fraternity we are interested in insuring the viability of our neighbors. The goal of Pamphratria this past year has been to redevelop interest in fraternities in general. As a result, we have been involved in a program to assume more student leadership on campus and to make our presence felt. Last semester, we were successful in placing several fraternity people in student offices; we will continue this effort with the upcoming elections. In addition, Pamphratria is proud to announce that \r\n.5 - it has as Slimed control of DAWN, a student coffee house on campus, originally started as a drug rehabilitation house, but now devoted to providing a gathering place. The Interfratemity Council will be involved in the Homecoming festivities this year in the game against Harvard. Gome over to our booth and say hello, - Craig Smith NEW PURPLE LEGIONAIRE Daniel P. Crowley is the new Purple Legionaire for the Omega Phi Gams. Dan excelled in academics and athletics while in the College (71) and was our unanimous choice to fill the position vacated by Prank McKain. Our most warm thanks are extended to Prank McKain, who dynamically exhibits "that loyalty and justice are the prime essentials of true character." Prank is considered a true friend bj"- all the Omega Piji's and his assi.stance has long been an inspiration and a blessing. However, Dan Crowley's appointment will facilitate a smooth and coordinated takeover. Dan, as mentioned above, distinguished himself academically and was appointed with honors to Kappa Beta Phi, an honorary academic society. Despite this, he provided the strength of the freshman lightweight crew, rowing either in the stroKe or four seat, Dan was also renowned for his songwriting efforts, composing in collaboration with Chris Henney, the now infamous "Bunnell Wazoo Song", The Omega Pijis rejoice at this choice, as it assures the house of an experienced yet aberrant advisor and friend. BiOCLESIA RBfOBf The 12)4.^^ Bkklesia of the Pratemity of Phi Gamma Delta convened this August In San Prancisco after a two year recess. In addition to clearing up the national fraternity's business agenda, the Ekklesia provided the opportunity for the farscattered brotherhood to exchange opinions and experiences in the city which many consider to be the most fascinating in the western hemisphere. The most pleasant aspect of the Ekxlesia, however, was the social element. In fact, the hours after sessions were in many instances the most profitable. We, the reoresentatives of Omega, (were most fortunate in that former president of the Omega chap 1 ter, Victor P, Obninsky, organized and directed the planning and operation of the Ekklesia, Having graduated from Colfumbia in J.966, Vic, affectionately known as"California Pie", returned to his native California where he i» now a lav/yer. with Vic in charge Omega went in style. Needless to say, He was deservecly commended for a difficult task v/ell done. Besides overseeing activities at the Sheraton Palace Hotel, Vic arranged a number of enjoyable side trips. One of these was \r\n- 6 - the wine tasting party which pitted the conglomerate taste buds of the brotherhood against several Napp Valley wines. It is curious to know that the most popular wines were the Gallo and other noticeably cheaper wines, Ihis is no doubt due to the dispropor tionate number of \indergraduate brothers. The first opportunity to reminisce with our graduate brothers came on the boat trip of San Francisco Bay aboard the Harbour Emporer. To the music of a dixieland band we circled the Bay sightseeing•and admiring the fastest crew of bartenders in the West, The view of the Golden Gate and Alcatrali and Angel Islands was quite inspiring especially under the light of a full moon. Nevertheless, the recollections of Vic and brothers Bruce and Malcolm Sargent (Columbia'- I966 and 19Di+ respectively) were the high-points of the entire trip. The moonlight seemed wasted on the inebriated brotherhood, however, as female companionship was lacking for most. If not for the generous attendance by the daughters of a few Archons, the visual caresses of the brothers would have been spent on the scenery. After docking, we all stumbled to a restaurant in the Russian neighborhood. The trip obviously was a reminder of Russian Easters in the past for Vic and Clara, his wife. For the Eastern contingent of Omega, it provided a chance to compare that fine establishment with the New York variety. All were quite surprised that the house favorite. Mama Joy's, v/as still in business and operated by the old crew led by Mama herself and her inimitable troup. vfnen not under the auspicies of our outstanding graduate brothers, we usually could be found on Broadway with our undergraduate brothers from Rutgers tauing in the sights at the Sugar Shack and the Condor, which featured Carol Doda and her"two companions". All in all it was a most informative and pleasant trip^ allowing the fraternity to reenforce its cohesive nature and maintain the oral history and tradition of Omega Chapter, iie would like to thank Vic and Clara and extend an invitation to come East, i/i/e would also lite to thank Bruce (B.S.) and Malcolm (X) for all they have done, both in the past and during our stay in San Francisco. Hopefully the contacts with these and other graduate brothers will remain intact and increase in the two years until the next Ekklesia. In closing let it be known, as often stated, a good time was had by all. nife're gladl - Jim Q'Lonnell and Mike Horvath mW BROTHERS This past spring. Omega's brotherhood expanded to include five of the most enthusiastic pledges in recent memory. The new brothers, under the direction of pledge trainers Paul Mondor and Bbb li/allen, toox part in an nctive pledge program, attending our many social functions and voyaging ro Rutgers for their pledge trip. Omega invited them to nccompany our delegates to the FIJI section convention at the University of Rhode Island, and that weekend they were able to learn a good deal about how our fraternity functions, as well as how we enjoy ourselves. \r\nZhe new brothers include: Henry Billingsley, a heavy^.veight oarsman from Be thesda, Md., who plans to major in political science and possibly attend law school; Lon Feathurstun, a prospective economics major and football player from Bedford, Ohio; Tom Herlihy, a psychology major and football player from.the Bronx,H.Y.; Fred Onello,■also a psychology major and football player from Union City, H.J.; Lie