SPRING, 1981 VOLUME LXXVIV THETA Tlieta'Tiji Theta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta — The University of Alabama PHI GAMS ENTERTAIN UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN The men of Theta Chapter have once again lived up to their successful record of being an active social service contributor to the Tuscaloosa community as well as the University. In the Spring of '80, our members, along with other campus organizations participated in an Easter Egg Hunt to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This was followed by an aluminum can recycling drive refreshments and gifts. The men of Theta started off the 1981 year with an emergency blood drive for the American Red Cross. From past experience, the Red Cross knew they could count on the Phi Gams to come through with the needed allotment of blood. Once again. Phi Gamma Delta concluded another active year in various social service projects, and is looking forward to a prosperous 1981. sponsored by Budweiser, in which we finished in first place. Responding to the needs of the American Red Clay Morris'83 Cross, the Theta Chapter once again opened their Service Projects Chairmen A. E. Joiner'81 doors for a campus-wide blood drive. Over 85% of our members helped individually by donating blood at this drive. The Phi Gam's enjoyed taking part in the 2nd annual can food drive with Delta Delta Delta,"^he drive netted Dear Graduate Brother, As Spring approaches, we are anxiously awaiting over five hundred cans of food which was given to the Salvation Army who then distributed ii to needy fami lies in the Tuscaloosa area. This year we pledged $100 to the United Way to help them meet their goal, and we scheduled our festivities for Saturday, March 28. At were also the first fraternity to become a member of for visitation and more drinks afterwards. the Sesquicentennial, helping the University celebrate We are quite honored to have Mr. Fred Maxwell, our oldest living graduate brother, as our guest speaker. Its 150th anniversary. We feel that our most important service project of the year was our annual Christmas party for under privileged children hosted with Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. We entertained 25 kindergarten students from local schools, complete with Santa Claus, elves. our traditional Norris Pig Dinner. This year we have 5:00 P.M. we will begin by serving cocktails in the living room. The famous pig dinner is at 6:00, with time Mr. Maxwell will also be receiving his diamond owl pin, signifying 75 years since his initiation. We are looking forward to seeing you in March. , PERGE! Fraternally yours, The brothers of Phi Gamma Delta \r\nRUSH Theta Chapter experienced a super year in the rush department in 1980. Thanks to hard work and iong hours by Greg Cariisie ('81) and John Griffith ('81) and tremendous support by the chapter we piedged thirty- a three of the top freshmen men on campus. This year's rush program is also beginning to take shape. Homecoming was a successfui weekend with Roaring Twenties and Fiji isiand coming up in the spring. We have aiso heid rush parties in Birmingham EDITORS; Ralph Cadenhead '83 Randy Reld '83 The THETA FIJI is a publication of Theta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and is intended exclusive ly for her graduates. and Mobiie both bringing impressive turn-outs. Graduate reiations and support are at a peak. We recentiy have been offered financed parties in Birming ham, Mobiie, and Montgomery, so we wiii be going to each of these cities soon. With this kind of wiiiingness FIRE RAGES THROUGH HOUSE ON HALLOWEEN On the morning of October 31, at 2:15 a.m., a fire broke out at the Phi Gamma Delta house. and a tremendous effort by the chapter, Theta should again experience a terrific rush year. Thanks for your support! Fraternaiiy yours, Scott Shanks'82 Al Skip Wilson '83 though there were no injuries, ex tensive fire and smoke damage Rush Chairmen resulted from the blaze. The fire damage was limited to rooms 3, 4, and 5 of the house; however, the entire house suffered ex treme smoke damage. As a result of the fire, the house was closed for 4 weeks, and all members living in the house were forced to make alter nate arrangements. Renovation of the house started immediately after the fire, and was completed in early January. The cost of the renova tion was estimated to be between fifty and sixty thousand dollars. Many personal items were also destroyed with an estimated value of fifteen thousand dollars. The houses insurance covered the full renovation costs; however, per sonal property losses were covered under parent's home owners policies. Arson is suspected as the cause of the fire, and the case is still under investigation by the Tuscaloosa Fire Marshall. Fraternally yours, Scott Becraft'82 House Manager Phi Gamma Delta 1980 pledges—Row 1, 1 to r: Mike Alexander, Bob White, Eddy Johnson, Bobby Windham, Gary Ridgeway, J. D. Stamm, Clay Hornsby, Bucky Henson. Row 2: Tom Willingham, Roger McCoy, Bob Wiltshire, Thornton Hydinger, John Sherrill, Tom Culpepper, Mark Ballard, David Meador, Packy Mills, Steve Williams. Row 3: Robbie Robinson, Mike Marshall, Hutch Harrison, Nix Handley, Jamie Parker, Greg Little, Elkanah Burson, David Starr, Neal Hutchinson,Cory Troiano, Gary Toole. HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Theta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has been extremely busy this year on improving the condition of the house. Dur ing the Spring of 1980, spotlights were installed in the front of the house to illuminate it at night. Also, the side yard of the house that was formally a dirt parking lot was land scaped and sodded,improving its appearence a great deal. During the Summer, the entire outside of the house was repainted, and damaged gutters and window frames were replaced. The Fall started off on a positive note with the repainting of the entire inside of the house for Homecoming. In addi tion to the improvements to the inside of the house, the front and side yards were aereated and seeded giving the house the plushest lawn on campus. The beginning of 1981 found many improvements made in As in traditions previously established and preserved by the men of Theta chapter, the Phi Gams have dominated the extra cirricular aspect of the Capstone during the 1980-81 academic year. Our involvement ranged within the most influential and prestigious of the student oriented organiza tions on campus. This year's roster of involved and honored include: Campus Activities Executive Board members. Randy Reid and Gordon Richardson; Interfraternity Council Justices, Bill Mace and Scott Becraft, including chief justice and former Theta president, Mike McWhirter; SGA senators, Gary Toole and Gordon Martin; Engineering Vice President, Bucky Herison; IFC President, Jim Andrews; Capstone Man, John Griffith; Order of Omega members, John Griffith and Bruce Williams; Jasons President, David Huffstutler; and the houses kitchen. The kitchen was refurbished with new SGA President, Gordon Martin. counters and shelves, and the condition of the ice room was It is evident that we feel that being productive within the student community is constructive for the image of Phi Gamma Delta, and we will continue to hold up the standards improved through the addition of new counters. These im provements to the kitchen have resulted in an increase in the quality of food served at the house. Also, 2 new couches and a coffee table were purchased for the downstairs TV room. A new carpet for that room has also been ordered. ' Future plans for the house include the landscaping of the backyard, and the installation of a flagpole in the frontyard. you established while an undergraduate. P.S. There is an extremely important member of the chap ter who cannot go without recognition, however, the "politi cal party" of which he belongs, like any political "machine", prefers its membership remain anonymous—So,Vic Hayslip Scott Becraft '82 remains mystic. SOH LAH! and ... , Fraternally yours, House Manager PERGE! Fraternally yours, James S. Andrews'81 \r\nPLEDGE EDUCATION SPORTS t i This year Theta has produced one of the largest and finest pledge classes In Its history. Starting out this fall with 38 pledges, we have now only lost five. Our pledges have come Theta chapter continued once again Its proud tradition of athletic competition. This year we fielded two football teams, both having outstanding seasons. Each team made It to the playoffs, thanks to the teamwork of many dedloated players. The highlight of the year was the outstanding perfor ifrom all around the South, Including Georgia, Florida, Ten mance of our soccer team. The Phi Gam soccer team beat nessee, and of course all areas of Alabama. the two favorites In the league before bowing out In the At the beginning of the year. Nix Handley, of Luverne, was elected pledge class president. Other officers are Bob White of Columbia, Tennessee, treasurer; and Jamie Parker of Tuscaloosa, secretary. These officers have done very well In leading their pledge brothers through a very trying time, as well as a good time for all. finals of the tournament. Currently, we are putting our efforts on basketball. We are represented by two outstanding teams, both of which should make the playoffs. Later In the season, the Phi Gam softball team will take the field and try to Improve on last year's 8-2 team which finished 3rd In tournament play. The pledges once again, did a good job to keep our house looking good. Along with two closed weekends In the fall, they started off the Spring semester with the annual work week. As a pledge class project, a barbeque pit will be built and golf. Thanks to our hard-working participants, and our behind the house. another successful year of athletic competition. Fraternally yours, Fraternally yours, This year we are also represented In bowling, swimming dedicated fans, we are looking forward to completing John Scott '81 Chass Norton '83 Joe Hunt'83 Sports Director Pledge Trainers SOCIAL The men of Theta chapter have always found time to get away from their academic life, and pursue social activities. Of course, this year was no exception. We have lived up to our reputation of having great swaps and parties. We started off the year with a band party on the night of "squeal day." The next day we had a lake party with SN, AAA, S KKT and AFA. Two different bands played alternate sets that afternoon for contlnous entertainment. Throughout the fall semester we had pledge swaps with several sororities In cluding KA, AXQ,AAA, nB, KA0, AFA,and XQ. Perhaps our most unique swap was with 1^ when everyone dressed In Punk Rock costumss with the coming of football season, we greeted our alum ni and parents with open bar before and after each home game. We also had band parties on the nights of home games, with three different bands during the course of homecoming weekend. Planned for Spring semester are our traditional "Pig Dinner", "Roaring Twenties", and "Fiji Island". We also have planned a barbeque with KA and house swaps with KKF and