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Michigan Alpha Centennial 1964

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    The Centennial Celebration 1964 jointly hosted by the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association and active chapter.

Homecoming 2013

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    Homecoming 2013 at 1437 Washtenaw.

Harmon BBQ 2013

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    BBQ at the chapter house to honor Tom Harmon '41.

Homecoming 2012

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    BBQ revives tradition attracting strong alumni attendance.

Mud Bowl

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    A PHOTO HISTORY OF THE MUD BOWL 1934 to 1997 ~ MICHIGAN'S GREATEST FRATERNITY ATHLETIC RIVALRY During the fall of 1934, Phi Delta Theta (PDT) active member E. Reed Low '37 challenged the "house across the street" (Sigma Alpha Epsilon -- SAE) to a friendly game of "touch" football on the morning of Homecoming in a little used valley in their side yard along South University. Low is considered the founder of the Mud Bowl. The men of PDT and SAE fought a close match which SAE narrowly won 8 - 6. Given the intense rivalry between the two fraternities which were located only a couple hundred feet apart, it was decided that the Mud Bowl would be an annual event. The Mud Bowl became a revered Homecoming tradition as PDT and SAE fiercely battled each year for nothing more than pride. In the early years, the game essentially was a rough intramural football match played on a field that was wetter and shorter than regulation. As the annual contest matured, it was decided that the challenge and entertainment value of the game could be enhanced by tilling the ground and flooding the field. Eventually, the Ann Arbor Fire Department contributed to making the mayhem on the field even more muddy by pouring approximately 10,000 gallons of water into the valley shortly before the game. By kickoff of games played in the 1970s through the 1990s, it was not uncommon for the mud to be more than one foot deep with water covering the west end of the "field." The PDT-SAE rivalry series in the Mud Bowled ended in 1997 after the 60th game between the two fraternities was played. The records about these 60 games are a combination of fact and myth, but no one disputes that this was the greatest fraternity athletic rivalry in the State of Michigan if not the entire nation. The Mud Bowl grew into such a spectacle that crowds numbering in the thousands showed up each year to witness the game. The game attracted coverage by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, ABC Sports as well as campus, Ann Arbor and Detroit media. The Mud Bowl became so popular that national brewing companies -- at first Stroh's, and then Miller -- sponsored the event. Of course, some people have speculated that the presence of sororities playing football, or speedball in some years, during the half-time may have garnered most of the great public interest in the event. Nonetheless the athleticism and intensity of the PDT-SAE matchups proved to be very entertaining for the fans. While the exact win-loss tally is subject to dispute, it is believed that PDT rightly boasts a few more victories in the series than SAE. Given that SAE hand picked the referees for each Mud Bowl, a PDT victory typically required overcoming the opposing players plus the men in stripes. For this reason, PDT's hard fought "losses" remain as much a source of pride as its many victories. If you have pictures or memories of the Mud Bowl to share with the Alumni Association's Heritage Project, please contact us at [email protected].

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Douglas Fergusson Roby, Jr., Class of 1956

Doug Roby [Posted March 4, 2010]  (From the Grosse Pointe News)  Douglas Fergusson Roby Jr.
Died: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Age: 77

Grosse Pointe Farms resident Douglas Fergusson Roby Jr. peacefully passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Roby was born in Detroit Dec. 3, 1932, to Douglas and Ruth Clippert Roby. He was the loving husband of Mary McKean Roby and dear father of Patricia Roby (Edward C.) Gotfredson, Douglas F. (Lynne M. ) Roby III and Charles Clippert Roby. He was the proud grandfather of Jenna Esther Roby, Douglas Fergusson Roby IV, Edward Courtney Gotfredson Jr. and George Edmunds Gotfredson. He also is survived by his sisters, Hermine Klingler and Ruth Glancy, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Roby graduated from the Kiskiminetas Springs School in Saltsburg, Pa. and the University of Michigan in 1956. He was affiliated with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force for three years. He took his flight training at the Marana Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., and finished his tour of duty at Hanscom AFB outside of Concord, Mass.

Upon returning to Detroit, he began his business career. He was first affiliated with American Metal Products, followed by FitzSimons Manufacturing and then Hydon Brand Electric. His association with these businesses was meaningful to him.

In 1977, he purchased Palmer Equipment Company. His glory years were at Palmer Equipment and all that he was able to accomplish through hard work and consistent dedication. He sold the company in 1999.

In 2002, Mr. Roby ran for election to the Grosse Pointe Farms City Council. He was successful in his efforts and continued in two 4-year terms of office. This public involvement gave him great pleasure. It was a special honor for him to hear the concerns of the people and be a voice for the community.

His family said Mr. Roby was good-natured, thoughtful, kind and always a gentleman with a light sense of humor. Being in the company of family and friends was special to him. His laugh was infectious and you always knew when he was present, for you recognized Doug Roby's laugh.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 50 East Fisher Freeway at Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Interment will be later this year at Pointe Aux Barques.

Memorial donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Beaumont Hospital, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073.  [Alumni Association note:  Doug is pictured to the left speaking at the Michigan Alpha Founders Day Dinner in 2008]

Posted in Chapter Grand |

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Comments

I had the pleasure of getting to know Doug through my fundraising efforts on the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association Board. He was a genuinely friendly guy with an engaging personality, great sense of humor and strong belief in loyalty. One of my good friends served with Doug on the Grosse Pointe Farms City Council, and he told me that Doug was considered to be one of the most respected members of the community. Doug was certainly a true friend of Michigan Alpha, and he will be missed by many.

Greg Karmazin '87

Posted by: Greg Karmazin | March 04, 2010 at 04:13 PM

I was Doug's roommate from fall 1953 to Jan 1955 so I have many humorous memories of our time together in the 2nd floor suite opposite the bathroom & then in a suite at the west end of the 2nd floor which we painted & left a "piece of art" on the incoming wall. He was always joking about something...a fun guy to be with & know. We had a good conversation several years ago at our Ann Arbor reunion. My sympathy & prayers to Doug's family.
Ken Copp '55

Posted by: Ken Copp | March 05, 2010 at 09:24 AM

I was Doug's "Big Daddy"-Doug was my "assigned little Brother"-all of that being decreed by the house president.

Doug's father and mine were friends during the 1914-1918 period in the Phi chapter house.Both men good lifelong Phi's-Doug was a terrific guy in my book always,a fellow Episcopalian,gentleman and most of all a friend.!-

"I was somewhat disappointed when in 2004 my wife and I relocated to Basking Ridge,NJ from La Jolla CA and the Roby's did not "again" invite us to their wonderful Point Au Barque's lake home.

Minor deal in the big picture-Doug will sure be missed by many people.

I'll miss him knowing that a close friend is not still alive up there in good old Michigan.

Posted by: Bill Michaels | March 17, 2010 at 10:10 AM

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