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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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 Manuel L. Papista, Class of 1952

Manuel Papista[Published in Grosse Pointe News, January 2010]  

Manuel L. Papista
Died: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Age: 79
Manuel “Mike” Louis Papista, 79, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010.

He was born Dec. 8, 1930, in Detroit to Gust and Anthy Papista who emigrated from Greece. The couple owned Papa Gus’s tavern in Hamtramck where the entire family worked. Mr. Papista often commented that he learned a great deal about people from working at the tavern. A union lawyer who frequented the family tavern inspired Mr. Papista as a child to become a lawyer.

Mr. Papista graduated from Southeastern High School in Detroit where he played varsity football, basketball, track and baseball. He also competed in summer sandlot ball and loved playing in Tiger Stadium. He was valedictorian and class president his senior year.

Mr. Papista attended the University of Michigan where he earned a baseball scholarship and also played football. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

He completed his first year at the University of Michigan Law School, then postponed his studies to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as an information and education sergeant at Fort Knox, Ky.

After completing military service, Mr. Papista returned to the Detroit area and began teaching U.S. history at South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores while studying nights at the Detroit College of Law. He earned his law degree in 1958.

Shortly after becoming an attorney, Mr. Papista formed the law firm, Lipton, Papista, & Garfinkle, P.C. in downtown Detroit. His practice focused on business, real estate and probate and estate law.

Mr. Papista met his wife, Louise, an elementary school teacher, through mutual friends. They married in 1961 and completed their master’s degrees in education together at Wayne State University.

As a young lawyer, Mr. Papista was active in Democratic politics and was a lifetime member of the Hellenic Bar Association.

He was dedicated to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Saint Clair Shores. For more than 48 years, he served on the church council. He was recognized by Archbishop Spyridon with the Medal of St. Paul for his commitment and service to the church. In 2008, Mr. Papista received the Hellenic Heritage Award honoring his longtime service to the Greek community.

Mr. Papista enjoyed sports, travel and theater, especially Shakespeare’s plays. The family spent many memorable summer days at the family cottage in Lexington. His family said he loved, encouraged, and inspired family and friends and will be remembered for his caring and compassion for others.

Mr. Papista is survived by his wife, Louise; his daughter, Anthy; son, Costa; daughter-in-law, Lisa, and granddaughter, Eva. He also is survived by his sister, Theano Johnson; brother-in-law, George Johnson, and sister, Alexandria Mallos.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080.

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