Tag: Zeta Pi

Zeta-Pi Welcomes Father-Son Legacies Within Chapter

February 1, 2022 / Michael Hoskins

By Michael W. Hoskins

In a historic milestone moment for Zeta-Pi at Oakland University, we’ve initiated the first intra-chapter, father-son legacies into our local Sigma Pi bonds of brotherhood.

The first legacy pair came in November 2019, while the second legacy set followed in late 2021. These men are brothers simultaneously at a moment when our chapter has about 400 men initiated locally, since our Chapter’s founding over three decades ago.

Brothers Waite

On Nov. 23, 2019, Zeta-Pi welcomed into its ranks the 11-member Beta Tau pledge class, the largest group in several years that brought our Undergraduate roster to more than three dozen men.

One of those new initiates was Brother Drew Waite, who happens to be the son of Brother Jeff Waite from the Lambda pledge class in Fall 1991 The elder Waite served as Pledge Educator and 2^nd Counselor during his undergraduate years and has remained a respected leader and mentor in his years as an alumnus – both for our Chapter, and at the Executive Office level in serving on the Ritual Committee during the last biennium.

“Very surreal,” Jeff said about seeing his son initiated as a brother. “We have shared so many different unique bonds in our life, but this latest one is the deepest and most emotional for me.”

Drew says that brotherly bond that he observed within Sigma Pi was the main reason he joined, despite not convinced for a long time that a fraternity was going to be a fit for him. But after his dad started introducing him to both Alum and Active members, his perspective started changing.

“The connection you grow with your brothers doesn’t stop after you graduate, it really is a life-long bond,” Drew said. “My dad has been talking about Sigma Pi and the benefits of being a brother, ever since I can remember. But seeing first-hand the number of people who have had the same experience as he did, and all the good things they had to say about it, was awesome.”

Both Waites point to the special father-son relationship they’ve had through the years, including growing up in the same communities and attending the same schools a generation apart. Now, they say Sigma Pi has offered another bond to share.

“Now that I have joined Sigma Pi, that connection has grown even tighter and I’m proud to call him (and everyone else) my brother,” Drew says.

Brothers Tosolt

A second set of legacy men entered our Chapter’s history in early December 2021. Ethan Tosolt joined the Chapter that his father Jeffrey had joined back in 1987, as part of the early Beta pledge class.

Beta Psi Pledge Class. Ethan Tosolt far left bottom corner.

The younger Tosolt joined as part of the 14-member Beta Psi pledge class.

Other Brotherly Bloodlines

While these were our first father-son legacies within Zeta-Pi, there have been other bloodlines shared within that fraternal brotherhood before now. Two notable examples stand out:

Hakim Men: Past Grand Sage George Hakim (Gamma-Alpha, Detroit-Mercy ’78) welcomed his son Douglas into Zeta-Pi Chapter back in 2009. Doug’s had many different fraternity leadership roles through the years and joined Grand Council in 1994, and he was the sitting Grand Sage at the time of his son’s initiation as part of the Alpha Omega pledge class. He even assisted in the ritual aspect of the ceremony.
Farrug Bros: at the Chapter’s beginnings, Michael was a Charter pledge class member in ’86, while his actual brother Joe transferred from Central Michigan University in the Beta Pledge Class and became the sole brother initiated without a Founding Father originated line.
Hudas Men: Brent Hudas joined the Zeta Pi Chapter with the Beta Kappa class in 2014, initiating into the same fraternity that his dad Greg did in 1984 at Wayne State University.
Alam Bros: Most recently, Josh came in with the Beta Omicron pledge class in 2017 before Jacob joined with the Beta Tau pledge class in November 2019.

We’ve also seen instances where our own Brothers have seen their children find Sigma Pi chapters at other schools, whether those fraternal experiences materialized into life-changing moments and positive experiences or not. It goes to the bigger point: even with a father-and-son story, it’s not always a happy end result when it comes to legacies.

Brother Michael Grant (Tau) emphasizes there are no guarantees. Because chapters can go from a Sage’s Cup to losing their charter very quickly, it becomes even more significant when a can stand the test of time and also welcome descendants from their own Brotherhood lines. He also points out that some fraternity chapters choose to not recruit or initiate legacies as a matter of principle, or that some sons may not have positive experiences like their fathers once had within the fraternity.

“It’s a big deal, and it really is an incredible thing for all the stars to align,” Brother Grant says. “This is a very memorable story – not just tugging on the heart strings of a father and a son, which is very moving, but about our Chapter. Together this shows Zeta-Pi has massive staying power.”

Importantly, it’s always about a Chapter initiating a new member for the right reason. That’s why Brother Drew Waite – while historically significant for us locally – is part of a bigger story. One that includes this Beta Tau pledge class of 11 new brothers: Jacob Alam, Zachary Fennell, Tristan Hoff, Yousif Kiryakoza, Justin Knox, Rob Martin, Tyler Mutz, Marco Pacifico, Adam Reich, Steven Turchi, and Drew Waite.

You might describe this as an ever-evolving story about the continuation of Zeta-Pi.

Chapter Director Rob Pankau III (Alpha Iota, Past Grand Herald) made this observation when snapping a photo of the new brothers following their recent initiation ceremony. While capturing the new initiates posing on an upper balcony with the Sigma Pi banner, he also noted that Brother Frankie Valenti (Beta Nu) is only one in that picture not a part of the newly initiated group of guys.

Beta Tau pledge class (above) and Brother Frankie Valenti (below)

“I find it very serendipitous that he was the lone active in this photo as he is our single senior that is graduating this semester,” Brother Pankau observed. “This photo is the epitome of the perpetuation of our brotherhood.”

We are thrilled to have every new Sigma Pi complete their initial journey into the Brotherhood, regardless of where they hail from. We believe, and as always look forward to continuing to embrace the fellowship of kindred minds no matter where our road leads us into the future.

Brother Kyle McCormick

August 27, 2018 / Michael Hoskins

Our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi at Oakland University lost Brother Kyle Alexander McCormick, 21.

April 2, 1997 – August 23, 2018

(Beta Lambda Pledge Class, 2015)

“This young man was an amazing individual. He had the biggest heart. All he ever wanted to do was to help someone and help glorify God’s name. When you look and see what is wrong in this world, Kyle personified all that we should strive to be as a man, friend, son and man of God. To say he will be missed is an understatement.” — one of Brother McCormick’s former teachers.

Rest in Peace, Brother.

Memorial contributions can be made to the K2 Memorial Fund, as well as to help offset funeral and memorial costs. The Sigma Pi – Oakland Chapter created a GoFundMe account online, and donations go directly to Kyle’s family.

Starting a New Tradition with Oakland University Football

January 12, 2018 / Michael Hoskins

As far back as most of us remember, the universal question for many Oakland University students and brothers has been “Why doesn’t OU have a football team?” It was often the start of a joke, one that led to smirks, laughs and rolling eyes.

These days, that’s no longer the case.

The Oakland University Club Football team is quickly gaining ground and becoming one of the favored pastimes on campus, and the 2017 season was a milestone as it was the first time the football team played a game on campus.

Historic tidbit: Remember, OU was formed in 1957 but didn’t officially get a football team until October 2013 – it’s a part of the National Club Football Association’s Great Lakes Conference; though up until recently the team’s played home games across the street at the Auburn Hills Civic Center Park.

For the Oct. 28 game against Michigan State, our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi was right there in the huddle (so to speak), helping to make this a serious sport with tradition attached to it.

About three quarters of the undergraduate chapter helped out — from working to establish a relationship with the team on a personal level, cooking and serving a pre-game dinner that may become a new tradition, and recruiting organ donors at the game in service of Sigma Pi’s national philanthropic cause.

Well done, Men!

How This Came To Be

Making this happen was a joint effort between the undergraduate chapter and two distinguished alumni –

Brother Rob Ray (of the Alpha Alpha Pledge Class in Fall ‘97), who has been a Rochester City Council member and in Nov. 2017 was named the city’s mayor(!)
Brother Rob Pankau III, of the Alpha Iota Pledge Class in ’02 whose served in various fraternity leadership roles locally and nationally, and took over as chapter director in July 2017.

With the football team’s game-playing presence emerging on campus, Brother Ray wanted to seize the opportunity before anyone else did.

A few of the players had mentioned that they’d love to start a tradition between the students on campus and the team, something like how Notre Dame once painted the team’s helmets before a game. Given that the OU team has missed out on this tradition since their inception in October 2013, most believe it would be a welcomed gesture and maybe allow the Sigma Pi Chapter to demonstrate leadership on the idea.

Both alum were able to assist in sponsoring a banner for the team, as well as sponsoring one of the players.

They then helped the Chapter sponsor one of the pre-game dinners on Fridays, allowing for everyone to meet each other on a personal level while bringing some needed pre-game food energy to the football team.

“That took some effort,” Brother Ray says, “but the Chapter eventually connected the dots and got it off the ground. I can vouch that it was greatly appreciated by the team and coaches; lots of praise came for the Chapter afterwards.”

Sigma Pi Goes Long To Welcome a New Tradition

Brother Collin Olson (Beta Kappa ’14) who’s served as Sage for the 2017-18 year, was one of those actively involved who took the field to help organize the pregame and during game activities, including participating in the coin toss. Notably, a Sigma Pi coin was used in the game-starting toss, thanks to Brother Olson!

Used in the OU home-game coin toss on Oct. 28 2017, donated by Brother Collin Olson.

About three-quarters of the Chapter were involved in some capacity.

Our Chapter served spaghetti, garlic bread and salad, because the coach was specific about getting the guys good nutrition and no desserts. Brother Dominic Patrus did the cooking. Even more awesome is how our Chapter put out an open invite for other orgs and alum to attend, to show school spirit in support of the football team.

This effort also allowed our Sigma Pi Chapter to represent itself locally and with our National philanthropy, Donate Life America, at the football club’s on-campus game. Brother Olson (who is also a board member for Donate Life Michigan) estimated that we recruited about 18 new organ donors by the end of the day, with Brothers Loren Appold, NIcholas Carr and Frank Valenti organizing the organ donation table while many other men stepping in to help with various aspects.

As to the future, Brother Olson says further plans include continuing our supportive efforts of the club as well as potentially rushing a few of their members — a tactic actually proposed to us by their head coach.

“I wouldn’t quite say it’s an official tradition to serve the football players yet, but there’s interest from the football team and we certainly intend to make it so,” Brother Olson said.

And hey, if the game’s final score — OU 32, MSU 12 — had anything to do with Sigma Pi’s involvement, here’s to keeping this tradition alive! Especially as the OU Football Club’s 2017 season marked back-to-back Great Lakes Conference Championship wins.