The Golden _—_ Eagle F I A Publication of the Theta Tau Chapter of Volume 24 Issue 1 Phi Gamma Delta July 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1987 1984 \r\n Many of you graduate brothers remember your old college days as if they were just yesterday. For Oliver Rick it has been over eight years since he was burning the candle at both ends, cramming for tests and participating in various late night adventures with fellow brothers. Now, he is soaring solo through the skies in an A-10 Warthog at speeds of 400 miles per hour. On February 27, 1998, Oliver Rick was shipped off for Officer Training School. There, he spent 13 weeks of the monotonous torture of 5 a.m. runs and of other miserable, unmentionable challenges. You might ask what he learned. As my father would respond of all these trials, “It builds good character.” In Oliver Rick’s case this may not be entirely the case, but he did share some crazy OTS (officer training school) memories with me. He recalled one night when he and some buddies were walking back to their barracks, a plane crashed out of the blue on their base into Burger King. Needless to say, the event created pandemonium on Rick’s base for hours. There are many similarities and differences between Rick’s life in the armed forces and his fraternity days. One particular aspect of his life today that Oliver Rick relates to, which some of you other grads can relate to also, is the presence of females. As in college days, girls are around all the time. But, as Rick says, now they just live with you. He is married and has two daughters. The Air Force, especially the pilot world is in many ways, a big fraternity. The major difference is now he has a little money, as compared to the days in college when he had to save every penny just to keep the fridge full of his favorite barley flavored beverage. \r\n* ‘The main duties Oliver Rick performs in the Air Force lie in what he has been extensively trained for: the basic function of the A-10 aircraft. The A-10 is the premier Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft designed to give friendly ground forces the support they need, when they need it. Additionally, trained as Forward Air Controllers (7ACs) and as Sandies to perform the grueling Combat Search and Rescue -10 pilots are extensively (CSAR) mission. A person could say the A-10 is the best friend to our troops on the ground and a welcome sight to downed aircrew. While Oliver has numerous combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan, he has never released any weapons I in anger. I asked Oliver if he would ever take back the day that he signed the contract to join the Air Force, Confidently, he said that he would Love take nothing back; he would do everything the same. Rick went on to say, “T love what I do, I get many opportunities that I would never get if I had What I not been in the Air Force.” Oliver has traveled extensively, throughout the United States and the rest of the world. He has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Do Enduring Freedom and to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch. He has had many different experiences; it is not every day that a person gets to fly with night vision goggles and is placed in charge of a multimillion-dollar machine. The A-10 30mm Gatling gun that shoots 70 rounds a second would bring a since of power to anyone’s fingertip Oliver feels that seeing a target confident that the Air Fo sliced and diced in a matter of seconds is unforgettable. Oliver Ric! e came as an unsought reward from a little hard work and dedication, and credits his foundation in the fraternity as the start of it all. Pig Dinner 2003 Phi Gamma Delta’s 22"! annual Pig Dinner was dedicated to the graduates and undergraduates who are in active duty for our country: @ Jason Reid - Air National Guard @ ‘Tony Melson - Air National Guard @ Dustin Brothers — Air Force @ Chad Marshall — Navy @ Adam Aylor — Marine Corp. @ Brandon Hetrick — Marine Corp. The champions of the 22" Annual Pig Dinner 4 Man Golf Scramble was team Parker comprised of John Rector, Troy Fairly, Mark Redferrin, and Jay Parker. 2™! place went to Team KG composed of Zeke Phillips, Preston Cloud, Logan Cardwell, and Kevin Givens. And 3“ place went to Jay Parker ‘00, Troy Fairly ‘96, John Rector ‘91, and Mark Redferrin “98 Team Chipper composed of Chip Walton, Posing for their pictures after winning the golf scramble Ben Sharp, Ricky Jett, and Mitch Robinson \r\nar Oliver Rick was guest speaker at Pig Dinner. The topic of his presentation was “Who Tam...” He posed the question: “What do you want to do with your life after graduation? What do you see yourself doing as a career?” Oliver, himself, let us know about his own doubts after graduation. He said, “I tried graduate school, but it was not right, for me. So, I looked into the Air Force.” He noted that it was the Fraternity that prepared him for life, because most of his life revolved around FIJI. Oliver Rick has never forgotten all the memories of Phi Gam. He flies with an American flag that contains a black diamond in its center. Richie Elmore ‘89 and David Crane ‘90 Stacy Hunt ‘90, Mason Guy TIT “93, and John Rector “91 Oliver Rick ‘95 speaking at Pig Dinner Exile’s Toast -by Russ Bradley ‘81 Excerpts from his letter... “Little did we know, when Carl Martin, Lee Wray and I met ina McCord Hall dorm room to ignite a spark to start a fraternal organization, that this spark would one day become a raging fire that it is today. Generations of brothers before you have added and now you brothers and pledges are adding fuel to that fire which has now become a spectacular bonfire. Our initial vision for the fraternity was to create an organization that was consecrated (set apart) from other fraternal organizations on campus — one that was distinct/unique, one that held the highest standards and one that pursued excellence in all areas of fraternity life and responsibilities. 1 commend each of you in upholding these timeless, quintessential ideals today and encourage all of us to strive to keep raising the bar each and every year to come.” \r\nPhi Gam Athletics Fiji received high marks in athletes this year by taking 2nd the All Sports competition. or @ 1° - Soccer @ 2" — Wrestling @ 3" - Basketball @ 3" - Volleyball @ 3° - Football @ 3° - Softball @ 3" - Golf Bowling Three of Phi Gam’s most outstanding senior athletics were asked their perspectives , ; Chip Walton during the Rugby Match between TTU and Sewanee on what sports has done in their lives. Michael LeMarbre, accounting major from Hendersonville Tennessee, overwhelmed Fiji newsletters with his stunning performances on and off the field, Michael pledged FIJI in Fall 1998, becoming Chapter President in 2002. He received the Outstanding Chapter President Award at the most recent Greek Awards Banquet. LeMarbre grew up around sports, due to his father being a park director. He participated in Beech High School basketball and track. He used his talents to push Fiji athletics to greater heights. Michael put it this way by saying that “one of the most impressionable moments engrained in my memory came during a basketball game. I would turn my head slightly to see the brother’s support ... they'd chant and scream: PHI GAM! FIJI!. .-PHI GAM!! FIJI! as we drove down the court. The crowd’s Michael LeMarbre , A . _ taking a free throws during enthusiasm would force me to squeeze every ounce of effort into winning.” the Final-4 Intramural Tournment Basketball game \r\nChad Kenney, accounting major and 1998 Scott High School graduate in Oneida, Tennessee, comes from an athletic back- ground. His father, a Tech football player, and his mother, a track runner, helped contribute to Chad’s athletic abilities. Chad played baseball, football, basketball, and ran track during high school. Nearing high school gradation, Chad turned down four football scholarships in order to attend TTU. One the rea- sons for his coming to TTU was his brother, Brent, and his devo- tion to FIJI (Brent Kenney). Chad loved the FIJI’s before coming to Tech. So, what motivates Chad to perform so well? He spoke FIJI’s pride. This drove him to perform to the best of his ability. pees Intramural Basketball Tournment He remarked that, “You have this unexplainable, incredible feeling Einel steam inside when you are on the basketball court and you can’t hear your teammate yelling at you two feet away.” Chad mentioned winning the ALL SPORTS Trophy in 2000 as being a great experience. In reflecting back on his FIJI experience, he said, “The close brotherhood bonds formed with your teammates is one thing I am leaving college with.” David T. Whitaker, pledged Phi Gamma Delta in the Spring of 1998, dedicated six years to Phi Gam athletics. A mechanical engineering major from Lenoir City High School, David played almost every sport for FIJI. “DT,” as his brothers fondly refer to him, grew up in Loudon County, playing soccer since the age of five. He played basketball for two years and soccer for four years in high school. With soccer, he led Fiji to a six-year undefeated streak. According to “DT,” one of his finest moments in Fiji sports came with winning intramural football in 2001. Throughout his Fiji athletic career David would enter each game with the mindset to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie with his brothers. David always loved running, jumping, or kicking things. David put it best by saying that “if it involves a ball I am able to play it.” David 'T. Whitaker playing foosball at the House \r\nGraduate Relations Chairman Non-profit Organization] Phi Gamma Delta US. Postage Paid 527 North Peachtree Cookeville, TN 38501 Permit #241 Cookeville, TN Kelly A. Irvin /3a 417 Jameswood Ct 7 Hermitage, TN 37076- New Dorm (replaces Dixie Quad) for incoming Freshman Fall 2003 at TTU