THEPI CRUST PUBLISHED BY PI CHAPTER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA, ALLEGHENY COLLEGE New Pledge Brothers The combined efforts of the brothers this year were rewarded with a large pledge class. The twenty-one new pledges are a group worthy of carrying on the fine name and traditions of Phi Gamma Delta. They are :Mike Trombetta ('82), Carnegie, Pa.; Brett Barcelana ('82), Buffalo, N.Y. ; Pat Cappiello ('82), Ridgway, Pa.; Ken McFarland ('82), Masury, Ohio; George DelGraco ('82), Pittsburgh, Pa.; Jerry Lehocky ('82), Conway, Pa.; Vious Pagalos ('82), Beaver Falls, Pa.; Mike Wild ('82) Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dave Bendig ('82), Greenville, Pa.; Bill Patterson ('82), Williamsburg, Pa. ; Mike Wilson ('82), Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mike Edmunds ('81 ), Amityville, Pa.; Jack Coogan ('82), Franklin,Pa.;Jeff Watiska ('82), Pittsburgh, Pa.; Eugene Tommasi, ('82), Avella, Pa.; Harry Pappas ('82), Burgettstown, Pa.; Robert Sobol ('82), Smithtown, N.Y.; Andy Willcox ('82), Oreland, Pa.; Mark Veon ('82), Beaver Falls, Pa.; John Kikel ('82), Ringold, N.Y.; John Brungo ('82), Pittsburgh, Pa. We are hoping that during the pledging period they will learn to love and respect the ideals of brotherhood and earn the friendship associated with being a Fiji. Ken Cramer ' 79 EDITOR: Ken Cramer CONTRIBUTORS: Tim Corchrap. '80 Tim Dougan '81 John Lesko '81 ,. Mark Spina '81 NEW OFFICERS PRESIDENT Bob McArdle TREASURER Eric Lindburg RECORDING SECRETARY Tim Corcoran CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Rich Brown HISTORIAN Timothy Dougan Mr. Bob McArdle President Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity Allegheny College Mead ville , PA 16335 Dear Bob : A short note of appreciation to you and your organization for the superb support of the basketball squad at the Gator Auto Classic. The enthusiasm generated by the fraternity played a major role in helping the Gators win the tournament championship. The squad and coaching staff realize the effect a home crowd can have on our opponents. Looking forward to your continued support in the future. Sincerely, Norm Sundstrom Basket ball Coach House Improvements During the first term of this 1978-79 school year, there were improvements made to renew and rebuild the inside of the house. Without the generous contributions from James Thompson's ('81) mother, Mrs. Martha Thompson, some of the major improvements to the house would not of been possible. Also, with savings from the kitchen and the House Corporation, the following improvements were made: - General Plumbing Fire Doors replaced - Wood Railing fixed - Hall light switches fixed - New Refrigerator in kitchen - Second-hand furnit ure for living room - New carpet in living room - New floor tile for living room, front entrance and the first floor landings in the stairwells Mark Spina '81 \r\nIntercollegiate Football When it comes to participation in sports, many fraternities pride themselves in getting involved. For the Fijis at Allegheny, however, just "getting involved" does not stay consistant with our rich Phi Gamma Delta heritage. Like many Allegheny football teams in the past, this year's Gator edition was clearly dominated by Phi Garns. No less than 18 brothers played, twelve of which were regular starters. Mark Spina ('81 }, brother of Fijis Nicholas ('76) and Philip Spina ('78), participated on the Gator training staff, while Ernie DiPlacido ('81) served the team as an expert scout. The offensive center position, for the fourth straight year, was nailed down by a Fiji. After three years of all-conference play by last year's team captain, Phil Spina, 1978 tri-captain Mike Veon moved from his guard position to give Allegheny another all-conference center. With an outstanding foot ball background from Beaver Falls, Pa., "Mick" proved to be not only an excellent player, but also a superior leader. The tackles were also a valuable asset to the Gators offensive attack. Dan Lanzini, a sophomore from Allison Park, came off a fine freshman year, and being a hard off-season worker, rose to be one of the top tackles on the Gator squad. A versatile performer, Dan was used as a guard and a tight end as well. Jim Thompson ('81 ), sitting out his premier season with Allegheny due to a knee injury, provided the important depth that past teams lacked . With improvement of his still-ailing knee, he could be a top tackle in next year's camp. The wide receiver post was clearly dominated by Fijis. Fred Sequiti . ('80), Mike Miller ('81) and John Lesko ('81) provided the team with an abundance of talent in the "sticky hands department". Sequiti, the veteran of the three, saw varsity action as a freshman and has been a regular starter ever since. One of his numerous big plays was a thirty-eight yard snag against Carnegie Mellon that continued a drive and eventually led to a score! Mike Miller, slowed down by injuries, st_epped in for Sequiti against Hiram, and put on a good show. John Lesko, a sophomore from East Allegheny, has the potential also to become a valuable wide receiver. Nick Nardone ended a stellar four-year career as one of the leading scorers in Allegheny history. An excellent kicker, Nicky has performed many game-winning boots, his greatest effort being the 9-7 win over Washington and Jefferson in his junior year. His longest field goal was a fifty yarder, a record not soon to be broken. He became the only Gator on the Allegheny All-Time 100 point scoring list to achieve this status by scoring solely through the kicking game. As a backfield man, Nicky was credited with the longest run from scrimmage in 1978. Against CMU he broke off left tackle for an 89-yard burst. PJ Blythe is another offensive Phi Garn in the Allegheny picture. Although he ended the season with 6 touchdowns, carrying the ball is really only his second favorite ambition. Opening holes in his first, and PJ has a way of making a brickwall look like a toll booth. Another fullback is sophomore Bob McArdle. Although sometimes bothered by ankle problems, Bob is the hardest runner in the Gator ranks. He had an excellent game against Case Western Reserve, and is noted as being the Allegheny fullback who does not have brick hands. A pleasant surprise to the coaching staff this year was the exceptional performance of quarterback Randy Reimold. Gaining the starting slot in the last three games, "Ringold" combined pinpoint passing with untouchable speed to add another dimension to the offense. Defensively, Allegheny combined experience in the backfield with ·size upfront to achieve a well-balanced attack. · On the line were three Fijis. Mike Stateczny, an Alden scholar from Buffalo, New York, brought strength to the line. "Staz" suffered a knee injury last year, but due to hard work on the off season, became one of the top tacklers on the team. It seems that sacking the quarter- back, for Mike, is really his favorite outdoor sport! David Sedmak was also a key member of the Gator defense. ''Sed" was credited with 3 fumble recoveries and 3 quarterback sacks, and was noted as always playing a "well-rounded" game. A third Fiji on the defensive line was Tim Dougan. Missing five games due to an injury, "Doogie" returned for the final 3 to end up 13th on the tackle list, also having time for 4 quarterback sacks. The defensive end position was secured on both ends by Fijis also. Gary Kurp, a junior who started last season as a defensive tackle, moved to the terminal position where his noted quickness was more thoroughly utilized. "Stork" was Raider of the Year as a freshman, and ever since has been regarded by many as being the most tenacious player on the line. Also a junior, Greg Popovich was another hard-hitting-starter of the Gators defensive unit. Against Thiel College, "Poppy" intercepted a pass and, lateraling to Fiji Chuck Lazar, gave the ball back to the Gator offense. Late in the season, · however, a knee injury kept him on the sidelines. The starting defensive backfield was also comprised of Phi Garns. Bill Law, Mike Giangiordano and Chuck Lazar were the stalwarts, accgunting for 13 interceptinos between them. Law, another tri-captain, kept receivers honest with his noted speed. Bothered by a knee injury which often limited his practice time, "Sparky" was always able to dress for the games. He ended his season with 6 interceptions. Off the gridiron, he serves the fraternity as an economics tutor. Giangiordano, undoubtedly the funniest of the three, came up with a key interception against Case Western Reserve smartly stepping out-of-bounds to stop the clock. "G-man" also was the reserve punter behind Reimold. (Incidentally, Mike attended the same high school as Reimold). Chuck Lazar,, the pride of Pi Chapter, has another exceptional season in '78. "Chips" had six snatches on the season, bringing his career total to 15 ..Against Case Western he took one in for a touchdown, getting over from 29 yards out. \r\nment, because they had just had their spring party which was the last one of the 1. Pig Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . April 7 year. 2. Fiji Island . . . . . . . . . . . May 23 - 27 Mr. Ballinger participated in football 3. Please send in current address forms to and track while at Allegheny, earning keep our. mailing list up to date. letter awards in both. He talked about one coach in particular, E.T. Stewart. He was · "a very good coach". He played catcher We received a notice from a graduate for the New York Yankees and was killed in a hunting accident in Arizona. brother suggesting that we should visit the older alumni. So we visited Thomas Dudly Once again, a graduate brother inquired about the Phi Garn Cannon. He said, Ballinger, a 1911 graduate residing in "It never did any harm, only made a lot of Meadville. Mr. Ballinger received a Bachelor of Arts degree, then continued another noise." If anyone has any ideas about the year at Allegheny as a biology lab assistant. cannon, please contact us. He then enrolled at Massachusetts InstiMr. Ballinger now resides in Meadville ture- of- Techm3lcfgy-arrct-compteted=one-. - ~oO-W.alnut Street. He spenas 1s time year of Sanitary Science. He was employed reading and gardening. He wishes to hear by the New Jersey Public Health Departfrom us more often and would also like to ment where he worked until he was called hear from brothers of his own time. We to duty in the service. He served in the thank Brother Ballinger for his time. Sanitary Corp, which is a branch of the John Lesko, '81 Army Medical Corps and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. After his military career, he returned to Meadville to work with his father in a Led by the stingiest defense in IFC drug store. He became interested in pharhistory, the Fiji ''Purple Wave" rolled over all opposition on its route to the macy and enrolled in the Philadelphia Intramural Football Championship. With School of Pharmacy. He completed the only four points (two safeties) in the four year course in two years and returned "points scored against" column through to work with his father until 1956. an unblemished season, the Fijis found Mr. Ballinger married Cecelia Shires in themselves trailing the Independent 1913 and shared happiness together for "Crusaders" in the Final Championship 61 years. Mrs. Ballinger passed away in bout. Behind 8-0 with only 49 seconds 1976. remaining, it took poised control by Mr. Ballinger joined the Phi Garns beuarterback Mike Petras '80 and some cause of their " ood fellowshiL He reclutch game saving receptions by split end called the old house on Park Avenue and Rick McLeary '79 and halfback Scott the spring and fall parties held at Nixon '79 to put the game into overtime Cambridge Springs and Saegertown. He rewith an 8-8 tie. With the adrenaline called one incident in particular. It seems that students were not permitted to dances flowing in the players and the sun ducking at any hotel ballrooms in town. However, behind the Allegheny Mountains the Fiji defense came on once again to halt any a couple of Phi Garns sneaked into a dance and were caught. The whole house threats of a Crusader score. Then on came was put on suspension, and expected the the offense to do what they've done so worst of punishments. However, there was many times during the season. With tough a Mr . Robert Breed on the Board of blocking by the interior line which inTrustees who was a brother and had to cludes Pete Pietrandrea '80 at center hand down the decision. The verdict was flanked by Rich Brown '81 and Frank guilty and the punishment prohibited the Borroni '79, the offense moved with Phi Garns from having any more parties consistancy deep into Crusader territory. that year. The house when it heard the Confronted by a fourth and goal situation ' decision, all had a big laugh at the punishat the six Petras rolls right and seeing he .Announcements Brother Update Intramurals has pulled the defense in, dumps a pinpoint pass to Tim Corcoran '80. Corcoran backs into the endzone untouched to bring a great game and a great Fiji championship season to a close. Other key. offensive players who were instrumental in this championship game as well as the season include Eric Lindberg '80, a split end whose sure hands and long reach pulls the Fijis through many thirdand-long situations. Danny DeDionisio, with his great leaping ability also made a nice target for Petras. Danny was also an asset as a blocker at tight end. Russ Madonia, former Gator star, came in at the end of the season to help the Fijis at he---f-ullback-- position-:The great Fiji offense was balanced by an awesome defensive squad. Led by a powerful middle linebacker, Max Dudzic '79. The defense gave up less yardage and fewer points than any team in the league. Making outside running impossible for opponents were Lindberg and senior Nick Sacco who also helped make up the offensive backfield as a strong blocking back. Putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a devastating rush were down linemen Pete Petrandreai, sophomores Rich Brown, Jack Daneri and Mike D'Itri, with seasoned veterans Frank Borroni and Ken Cramer, both seniors. Kenny was known for his tenacious play and numerous quarterback sacks. With exciting play in the defensive backfield by the quickness of Rich McLeary the ac_!_obatic if!!:~ceptions by sophomore Mark Spina and Scott Nixon the teams most versatile player, the Fiji defense was impermeable to any passing threats by opposing teams. As the football season concluded and the Fiji team rose as champions it became evident that the Fijis seem unbeatable in intramural competition. The Fijis are now looking forward to a successful basketball season in the intramural ranks. Timothy Corcoran '80 \r\nInterceptions, however, are only one way for this veteran to score. As a return specialist, Chuck is exciting, daring, ... the best! In his sophomore season, he returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score against Case Western Reserve, only to haunt them again this year with an 89 yard scoring punt return! Humorously, most CWRU players do not remember Chuck's face, but would certainly recognize the bottoms of his shoes or the back of his jersey! Many honors were bestowed upon Pi Chapter players. All-PAC players were Mike Veon, Charles Lazar, Bill Law and Nick Nardone. Last year, three of our brothers were selected to the All-Fiji team, and this year we have high expectations for these four men. Lazar was MVP for the defensive team of the All-PAC team, and also Allegheny's most valuable player in 1978. He was awarded the Duffy Weber and WMGW award for his fourth year as a Gator letterman. Mike Veon won the George Coon Memorial award in his third year as a letterman. Bill Law, co-winner of Allegheny's leading interception award, also was a tri-captain with Mike Veon. If hard work and dedication points to many future achievements, the brothers of Pi Chapter are bound for inevitable success! Tim Dougan '81 PI CHAPTER of Phi Gamma Delta 454 North Main Street Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335 News From Brother Graduates Herbert E. Ransford, Jr. '38 Herbert, a trustee of Allegheny College, resides at 100 White Hampton Ln., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15236. He is married to Cara Kraus ( '40 KKG) and has a daughter Sherry (Allegheny '70) and a son Herbert E., III. Besides being a trustee, Herbert is active with the Methodist Church and spends his leisure time golfing and bowling. William S. Diffenderfer '29 Bill is retired now and lives with his wife Lenore at 1931 King James Parkway, Suite No. · 413, Westlake, Ohio 44145. R. Kenneth Showers '31 Ken was the Chief Packing Engineer for PPG Industries until he retired in 12/31/65. He now lives at 37 Palm Club, 1431 S. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fla. 33062. His wife's name is Alice M. Showers to whom he has been married for 44 years and has one daughter, Jean Showers Anerly (Allegheny '59). Ken is active with the Boy Scouts, Rotary and is a trustee and elder with his Presbyterian Church. Harold Johns Rowe, M.D. '35 Harold resides at 2040 E. Spring St., Tucson, Arizona 85 719. Harold is married to Emily Shaw and has three children: Dr. Emily Suzanne Rowe Van Ort, Dr. David S. Rowe, and Dr. Deborah Hines. Harold is active with the Arthritis Foundation and is on the teaching staff at The Arizona Health Science Center. Dr. Clark Leydie '37 Dr. Leydie also lives in Tucson, Arizona and would like to know "to whom does 454 belong now?" If anyone else is interested please stop by the Chapter House sometime. The undergrads are anxious to meet you! Fred C. Neiman '38 Fred is the District Agent for the Bankers Life Co., presently he is semi-retired. He is active in his community where he is the treasurer of Greater Irwin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Manager of Irwin Male Chorus. Fred lives at 503 Seminole St., Irwin, Pa. 15642. Theodore L. Levinson '55 Theodore presently is President of Star Super Markets Inc. He and his wife Stella, and children Jeffrey and Donna live at 585 Bonnie Brae Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14618. William D. Watson, M.D. '73 Congratulations are in order to Dr. and Mrs. Watson for their first child Nicole, born on December 26, 1978. He is in residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He and his family reside at 2274 Woodstock Rd., Columbus, Ohio. Charles E. Rimer '50 Charles, with his wife, the former Barbara Woods (Allegheny '53) hav.e three children. Their son, Chip, is studying at Furman University, while Kristin is at Allegheny College. They also have a daughter Stacey attending Orange High School. Charles is a partner in Collins & Rimer Architects, Inc. and the head architect for Massillon Hospital, Barberton Hospital, and others. He is currently donating many of his hours to our chapter house, suggesting ways in which it would be beneficial to remodel it. We are deeply grateful for his superior display of loyalty and interest. Mr. Rimer's office is in the Keith Bldg., Cleveland and he resides with his wife and children in Chagrin Falls. It is with deep sadness that we report the death of our brothers : David La Verne Parker ('22) who died August 3, 1978 and Thomas Harold Crandall ('31) who died on July 21, 1978. Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 428 Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335