{All Things Gnar}

A Ragnar Relay Race was held in Las Vegas during the last weekend of October. Several Gamma Kappa Sigma Chi men competed in the relay race. Sam White, Justin Zizumbo, Matt Hinman, Alumni Josh Nagao and, the beautiful Sweetheart, Lacey Lynn Nagao formed a team with other Utah State University students (including a SigEp) in order to run their hearts out! The next day, Sam White denied being in any pain but we all watched him waddle up the front stairs truly strained.

 

Justin, Matt, Josh and Sam are all smiles with the flag.

Samuel White may not be a smart man, but he knows what love is!!!!

 

Run, Forest, RUN!

 

I'm sure this van smelled great.

 

I assume he's running from the law.

Another thing I think is really "Gnar". The boys have been volunteering at the Cache Valley Humane Society during fall semester. Many of them have proven to be quite popular.

Drew Vaughan: Tamer of pussy cats.

Thank you for visiting the FLOG for the latest updates. Although this information is about a month old, it is still super gnarly. And, as always, keep your pimp hands strong.

{It's Been a While!}

Hello stranger!

It has been quite a while since I've updated the blog. I am sure you are all eager to hear about all the great things the men of Gamma Kappa have been up to lately. With finals approaching and other obligations I have not had a great deal of time to post. After finals I will go back to posting regularly (1 or 2 times a month). For now, I'll do a quick recap of Homecoming and over Christmas break I will get some other posts cranked out.

The late, great Utah State University
football player and Gamma Kappa Sigma Chi, Merlin Olsen, was immortalized in a "larger than life" statue.

 

 A great way to pay tribute to a great man!

The Sigma Chis put a lot of effort into making a float. It featured a football/shark/torpedo and football goal post.

The pictures from the parade are courtesy of Jade Green and
Courtney Robinson.

A homecoming tailgate was held during the football game against Hawaii. The tailgate was a collaboration between Sigma Chi Alumni and USU Athletics. It was a great success!

Overall, USU Homecoming Week was a great success. The Gamma Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi hopes to "Leave Their Legacy" in many ways over the years.

Also, the men were very honored to win the Streetpainting Competition for their very stylish tribute to Merlin Olsen.

{Leave your Legacy}

Couldn't wait another hour, so here is a preview of the USU '10 Homecoming Street Painting

A nod to Merlin Olsen: a Gamma Kappa legacy, Aggie athlete and a true class act. RIP #71.

{Merlin Olsen Day of Service}

Excuse my tardiness but I just remembered I wanted to do this post. 

Last March a great Gamma Kappa Sigma Chi, Merlin Olsen passed away. His spirit of generosity is now celebrated on September 15th and is known as Merlin Olsen Day of Service.

This year The Merlin Olsen Day of Service happened to occur during Rush Week. Instead of having a party or BBQ to attract new members, Sigma Chi chose to honor Merlin Olsen by making a service project one of their rush events. The men of Sigma Chi did manual labor for the American West Heritage Center. The American West Heritage Center is a historical farm that has very few employees and relies almost solely on volunteer work from the community. The service included clearing paths, cutting shrubs, hauling old foliage and moving hundreds of pumpkins to be displayed.

Isn't Utah beautiful???

The American West Heritage Center has many farm animals and other features. In spring, it hosts the popular event, Baby Animal days. 

Thank you Merlin Olsen!  Your life inspired us to take a break from everyday activities and do good for others. 

{Derby Days}

Over $9,000.00 raised and a BYU beat-down: sounds like a Sigma Chi Derby to me!

This year, Derby Days was held during the fall semester and Sigma Chi collaborated with The Huntsman School of Business's "Business Week" in order to reach their full potential. The Business Council and Sigma Chi had great expectations for the week of philanthropy. The Business Council was a huge contributor to the success of their own events and Sigma Chi events. The week reached fruition when a check in the amount of the money raised was personally presented to Jon M. Huntsman.

Sorry about this one, Caitlin!

The first event of the week was a Dance-A-Thon. First place entrants received 2 one semester tuition waivers, second place entrants received 2 Ipads and third place entrants received 2 Ipods.

Real life brothers and soon-to-be Sigma Chi brothers take a break from volunteering and dance.

Look at all these men at work. Kind of like the band, Men at Work.

The men tirelessly devoted hours of hard work toward the planning and execution of the event.

These beautiful ladies stayed out all night to volunteer for the Dance-A-Thon.

Next year the men of Sigma Chi are hoping the event will grow. As the event gains momentum, each year, hopefully it will become a well-known annual tradition!

Another big money-maker for Sigma Chi was the Date/Service Auction.

Dannie Hays "gets down" for cancer research.

Potential New Member, John Caputo, tells Johnny he 

bought short shorts just to attract high bids.

Potential New Member, and Gamma Kappa Legacy, Drew Vaughn tells

Johnny his dream date involves watching Sleepless in Seattle, 

cuddling while crying and eating cake batter ice cream. 

Of course, the auction was a way to get the Greek community together in order to raise money for Huntsman Cancer Institute. It was also a chance for the men of Sigma Chi to do what they do best: dance, wear short shorts and give back to a very worthwhile organization.

Shirts and other items were also sold. The Derby Days shirts were very popular this year despite the misprint "Derby Day's"....ooops... The "Go. Fight. Win." Aggie shirts were a HUGE hit on campus and were due to gracious efforts on the part of SigEp, Alex Putnam! Thanks Alex!!!

The "Go Aggies. Fight Cancer. Win Tonight." shirts were sold for $10.00

and a generous portion of that cost were donated to Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Thank you Alex Putnam!

Sellin' tees and stackin' cheddar!

Skyler Jenks, Troy Oldham and the rest of the school of business council hosted a Kalai concert, golf tournament and 10k race. Sigma Chi participated in the events by helping with advertising, acting as security and donating their money. On Thursday, there was a banquet for the Huntsman School of Business. Jon M. Huntsman attended the banquet in order to introduce Ron Labrum and, also, to receive the oversize, novelty check Sigma Chi and The Huntsman School of Business had worked so hard to earn! 

You know what they say about a man with a large, novelty check: big wallet.

More than $9,000.00 was raised in all, including a large portion raised exclusively by Sigma Chi events.

Consul Nick Sokolik, Jon M. Huntsman Sr., Steven Huntsman and 

Derby Days Chair Jordan Garner.

Jon M. Huntsman spoke highly of the Gamma Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi when he introduced Ron Labrum. He was extremely nice and made mention of how beautiful the white cross is several times. Thank you!

Derby Days will be happening again during Spring 2011 (this upcoming spring semester) so the boys can reach their full potential in earning money. Any suggestions for charitable events or donations are greatly welcome. (Hahahaha Rob and Jordan. Bet you had no idea you were going to do it all over again in just a few months!)

Friday was the USU against BYU game. The boys got to relax after a long week and tailgate. Good job, guys, you earned it!

Also, not to rub it in, but THE AGGIES TOTALLY BEAT THE H*!! OUT OF BYU!!!!

A special THANKS to: Skyler Jenks, Troy Oldham, The Huntsman School of Business Council, USU Police and USU Facilities, Alex Putnam who acted on behalf of SigEp and ASUSU, Alanna Hill, the USU Greek community, the USU student body and everyone else who helped make this week possible.

{Show me your A's!}

The Sweethearts want to reward the Gamma Kappa chapter's hard work and good grades! 

Beginning in October, anytime an active member or potential new member of Sigma Chi receives an A (or A-) grade on a test, paper or project they should make a copy of their work and give it to Nick Sokolik. There will also be an envelope or basket somewhere in the house for you to put these assignments. 

Everyone who gives an A (or A-) assignment will receive some sort of reward (probably food) at the end of the month. At the end of the semester all of the individual "A" assignments will be entered into a drawing for a big prize (gift cards, movie tickets, Jazz tickets, or something along those lines). The more A's you enter, the more times your name is entered into the big drawing. 

 

  "A Student of Fair Ability...."
 

{Brotherhood}

When I initially asked Nick if I could get a picture of the entire Gamma Kappa chapter, including actives and potential new members, I never imagined how daunting a task this would be. The chapter has grown exponentially. Fitting all of these men into a single camera lens is now more challenging than ever. Like love, great brotherhood spreads to everyone around it and lasts an eternity.

A group of brothers too big for my camera to handle (also, I may have had it on the wrong setting).

These men look handsome in "TWalk" dress.

"Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug!"

 When asked about his Pledge Pin, potential new member, Zach told me, "This means so much!" Then he gave me his best "Steve-o" thumbs up.

"Let's win this!!!"

Despite the renovation, the porch seems to endure as the most popular part, of the whole house, to hang out.

Their fearless leader.

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood."-Martin Luther King

{Sweethearts}

Attention Sweethearts!!!

If you are an elected Sweetheart of the Sigma Chi, Gamma Kappa Chapter then please contact me via email (sigmachi.sweetheart@yahoo.com). I would like a picture of you and your fellow sweetheart and would like to know the year you were elected. If you are a Sweetheart by marriage, then please contact me via email if you would like to have a wedding picture featured in an upcoming blog post. Tell your friends and other Sweethearts!!!

{A Successful Rush Week}

Friday September 16, 2010 was an exciting end to a very successful Sigma Chi Rush Week (which was actually several weeks long)! Over 30 young men accepted bids to the Gamma Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi out of more than 100 hopeful applicants. About 26 of the 35 gentlemen showed-up for a tradition known as "The Running of The Hill". Many lucky female friends of the chapter also attended. The men did all the hard work; I just took the pictures.

Alumni members of Sigma Chi came to the chapter house before the "run" 

to celebrate with the newest members. And, also, "to show these men how it's done".

Local celebrity, Daniel Bromley embraces the youth one last time before sending

them to Old Main Hill.

Utah State University's sexiest bachelors all lined up to run down Old Main Hill. 

And ladies, many of them are single. Ooh la la. 

The 2010-2011 Sweethearts with their favorite men. Like "Where's Waldo?" but 

with guys who are much better looking than Waldo. 

Active member, Anthony Drake, grabs the hand of a new member and says, "Congratulations" 

in a show of support.  Other new members rush down without falling.

Sigma Chis at the bottom of the hill supporting a new member who recently injured his tibia in a gruesome accident. Sigma Chi obviously embraces diversity.

 

Walking up Old Main Hill: a fate worse than death.

 

Singing "The Bird" song.

 

A new member feasting on Pounders after the exhausting hill run. 

Vice President, Bryce Parkinson, reflecting on a great Rush.

Sigma Chi Gamma Kappa Fall '10 New Members - About 33 accepted bids in all and about 6 of the men couldn't make it to the hill run.

Congratulations on accepting your bids and good luck in school and Sigma Chi!!!

We all can't wait to see what you accomplish.

The Running of The Hill REMIX!

Here are some of the pictures taken by fellow Sweetheart, Ellen Garr. Enjoy them, they are really fantastic and give you the full grasp of the size of this year's pledge class. We are so excited to see how well all of these great guys do throughout their experience in Sigma Chi!

Johnny is proud to wave the flag.

 

 

The Sweethearts again.

 

Sigma Chi was the only fraternity to have female supporters this year.

A lot of hard work went into this day. It was full of excitement and pride. And, to think, this is just the beginning.