FROM THE SUPREME COUNCIL Growth- Our Never Ending Goal by Supreme Council Vi ce Presi dent Kevin E. Virta (W estern Michi gan, Eps il on Psi '83) row or die. It's that simple really. All livi~g things are pro~elled forwa.rd b: t~e . G basic drive to grow. If you are not growmg then you are 1n decay. Th1s pnnCiple IS true for our bodies, our relationships, our businesses, and our Fraternity. The founding fathers of our great Fraternity gut wrenching, where the choices available are understood this principle. Indeed, the central few and often unpleasant. And so it is with a Pike idea of starting a fraternity was to promote the chapter. Figuring out what to do with a growing growth of its members. After documenting it in chapter, where to dedicate abundant resources our Preamble, the founders followed suit with two of time and money, is much more enjoyable than key decisions: 1) to admit Augustus Washington worrying about where the money will come from Knox a the first initiate; and 2) to expand to other to pay the next bill, or the men to staff the next campuses by installing a chapter at Davidson, community service event. making it clear that Pi Kappa Alpha was meant not only to promote the growth of those in the room Some might think that a 100 man chapter at the time of its conception but to also grow as an does not need to grow, that 100 men is already a organization so that it could provide those same good size for a chapter. In my opinion, it is not benefits to many more. How many more, I am sure a question of whether 100 are enough or not the founders never could have envisioned. enough. It's a question of whether or not you Kevin E. Virta are growing. Not just maintaining but growing. The goal to grow has been with us in varying One obvious reason for a 100 man chapter to degrees of emphasis for the past 140 years. Growth set growth goals to exceed last year by 5% is that is one of the four areas of focus in our current strategic plan. it never knows how many men from the current chapter will Our growth goals include increasing pledgings and initiations return the fo ll owing year. It might plan to recruit 30 men to by 5% year over year and adding 12 new colonies every year. The replace 30 graduating members but find that an additional purpose of setting these goals is to keep us focused and striving 10 members either transfer or leave school altogether. That toward continual growth. Establishing colonies keeps the overall obviously leaves the chapter with 90 men the next year and in a Fraternity growing with the primary responsibility resting on state of decline. the shoulders of the international staff, while recruiting new members keeps the chapter growing. I think it is also important to note that recruiting more men who are not the right caliber is not true growth. Growth can only Our chapters have embraced the 5% year over year growth come when the chapter adds men who are of the character and goal. In the 2007-08 academic year our chapters exceeded this conviction that it takes to build or maintain excell ence. This of goal in the process of pledging 5,797 men and initiating 4,781 course requires the chapter to work doubly hard in rush- year into membership. Both of these represent high water marks not round- to find and attract the men to meet its growth goals. seen since 1989-90. So far the chapters have come out of the Likewise, it requires the Supreme Council and International . blocks on pace ready to top last year. Fraternity's staff to do the same when it is choosing a university for expansion and recruiting the men on campus to represent A growing chapter is a prosperous chapter. It is through us. growth that average chapters become good chapters, good chapters become "Excellent Chapters", and "Excellent Chapters" One of my favorite movie lines comes from The Shawshank are maintained. Growth brings with it so many rewards. It brings Redemption. Andy Dufrense (played by Tim Robbins) has not just more resources, but newer and different resources. It decided that after 20 years of wrongful incarceration he is ready is through growth that a chapter can improve its standing in to move forward with life and he says to his fr iend Red, "I guess academics, change its fortunes on the athletic field , or sow the it comes down to a simple choice really. Get busy living, or get seeds for the next great chapter leaders. Conversely, a declining busy dying." To me that translates into get busy growing, or get or stagnant chapter often finds itself slipping from excellence busy declining. Pi Kappa Alpha is busy growing. We have been and spiraling further downward. This brings a whole different since been March l, 1868, and will be on into the future. We set of problems to deal with, like financial debt, apathy, and really have no other choice. poor participation. In the bonds, I read long ago that in business there are only two real management challenges. Managing growth, or managing Kevin E. Virta contraction. I have found it to be generally true when evaluating International Vice President matters at a high level. Managing growth is not easy, but it can be fun and exhilarating. By contrast, managing contraction is SIDELD&OWIOND 3 Scott Van Pelt: Our Brother at ESPN 7 Pike Presents the Annual Sports Review 16 The Pike All -Time Pro Football Team 20 Team Mascots As Portrayed by Pike Brothers 23 Pike University: The Chapter Executives Conference 25 The Pike House: Join Us for 2009 International Work Day 26 Myths and Legends: A Historic House and the Woman Who Kept It 28 Beta Chi Chapter Rechartered at University of Minnesota 29 Mean Green Goes Garnet and Gold 30 Chapter otes 41 Pike Athletics: Victory in Competition 42 The Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation Welcomes ew Giving Society Members 44 Alumni Association ews 50 Pi Kappa Alpha Welcomes ew Alumni Associations 51 Alumni otes 55 Pikes in Print: Above: 10-Minute Toughness: The Mental Training Program jason Fox in the thick of the action for Winning Before the Game Begins Tri-captainloffensive tackle Jason Fox (Miami, Gamma Omega '07) started 12 games for the 7-6 Miami Emerald Bowl squad 58 Pikes in Print: and was named to the NIC All-Fraternity All-American first Golf, aked- Idaho Alum Shares Golf Secrets team. The Annual Sports Review begins on page 7. 61 Pikes in Print: The Reach On the Cover: Scott Van Pelt on the se t of ESPN SportsCenter 62 News of Bygone Days Our brother at ESPN is probably one of the most watched figures on television in homes, dorms, and chapter rooms Chapter Eternal 63 across the nation. Photos courtesy ofESPN. Story on page 3. VOLUME 120 I NUMBER 1 I SPRING 2009 UPDATE New Regional President Appointed SIDELD& The Supreme Council ofThe Pi Kappa Alpha Committee. Eby has served on the Allegiant International Fraternity is proud to announce Bank Loan Advisory Committee and is currently the appointment of Larry on the board of directors for the National Cable W. Eby as Heartland Television Cooperative, where he serves as the Regional President effective chairman of NCTC's Finance Committee. Eby DUMOND December 8, 2008. was recognized as Outstanding Young Alumni Eby is a 1988 initiate for Southeast Missouri State University in 2006. Published by of Epsilon Iota Chapter at Eby currently resides in Sikeston, Missouri Pi Kappa Alpha Corporation 8347 West Range Cove Southeast Missouri State with his wife, Anita, and two daughters, Lauren Memphis, Tennessee 38125 University. He served the and Maggie, and can be reached at 901/748-1868 Fraternity as a chapter consultant from 1992- [email protected]. 1993 and has served previously on the Epsilon The role of regional president is one that is Raymond L. Orians, Executive Vice President Iota house corporation and advisory boards. vital to ensuring the success of Pi Kappa Alpha­ Currently, he is the senior vice president recruiting and supporting alumnus volunteers. B.E. Perkins, Editor of operations at NewWave Communications, Regional presidents serve as a representative of headquartered in Sikeston, Missouri. Eby is also the Fraternity in a particular geographic region. Mindy Costabile, Editorial Associate a member of CTAM and the Motorola Advisory Pi Kappa Alpha has 20 regions in North America. Editorial Assistants: Gwen D. Irwin, Carol A. Patton Headquarters Staffer Recognized by Trade Magazine Circulation: Sandra H. Newsom Sherry Walker was one of 68 meeting learned, how 2008-2010 Supreme Coun ci l professionals from across the country much he earned, Patrick A. Talley, Jr., President nominated by destinations or how much and meeting sites Kevin E. Virta, Vice President he enjoyed the and recognized as a event:' A valuable Mathew Forrest, Vice President ConventionSouth Meeting and respected F.R. "Rick" Jenkins, Ill, Vice President Professional to Watch in member of John A. Bobango, Vice President 2009. the Memorial Kevin M. Huddleston, Vice President Walker is the director of Headquarters meeting and travel services staff, Walker has Whitney D. Zimmerman, Vice President for Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. She manag~s all been assisting Kevin G. Knaus, Past International President site planning and logistical arrangements for consultants, StevenS. Heck, Legal Counsel Pike University events and Fraternity meetings, officers, students and coordinates international officer and staff and coworkers with their travel plans for over travel.