Gamma Nu Chapter - Phi Kappa Tau

Now that I've finished recovering from this past weekend, I want to thank everyone who came out to all of our events. We held our annual Fall Alumni Weekend and had ton of Brothers show up, both current Resident Council and Alumni.

The incredible weekend was kicked off with our “infamous” Pumken Hunt on Friday night, which happened to be Halloween this year - I even saw Rambo and some Average Joes' smashing pumkens out there! There were some hard hits given and taken by both sides, but the midnight ambush was the best - we charged around the house from both sides while blasting "Ride of the Valkyries" from our speakers like the helicopter attack from Apocalypse Now. In the end, the new members turned out to be victorious - congratulations to them for their hard work and perseverance. Six versus sixty made for an intense battle, but I guess the Brothers must have overlooked a pumpkin or two.

The second day started off with the prestigious Alumni Golf Tournament. We chose the "challenging" Genesee Valley Country Club for this year's competition and the weather was perfect. It was a competitive round as Jon "Dickie" Marsh, Spring 2003, won the Alumni trophy, while Josh Schoonmaker, Spring 2008 and I tied for the Resident Council trophy, with honorable mention going to Dave Filiberti, Fall 2006 for his chip-in stroke.

Later that day we held the long awaited dedication ceremony of our off-campus house "Dean's" with the man himself - Dean Giordano, Fall 1983 - in attendance! Dean played a crucial role in the fundraising effort for the house, and this recognition symbolizes the Chapter's respect and gratitude for his efforts. Chapter Founder Gary Proud displayed and explained the various plaques and awards which will be hung at the house to honor everyone who has contributed - the support we received from our alumni was tremendous and we can't thank them enough.

The night began with a meeting of the Boiler Room Society, where we reminisced on the "good ole' days" with song and tradition. Thanks to Jim Corbett, Winter 1967 - one of the original Boiler Room founders - for bringing back some of the best Gamma Nu songs I've ever heard! Finally, the night was capped off with an intense performance by the band Dead Lift with Gamma Nu Alum' Paul Sacchetti, Fall 1995 on guitar. They definitely blew the roof off the House! I later found out that they were the first live band to play at a Gamma Nu Alumni Corp. function in about forty years!

Once again thanks to everyone who came out and made the weekend unforgettable! Hoorah!

Anthony Blatner, Fall 2006
Chapter President