Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta: Active Chapter 2009 Senior Profiles

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].

Active Chapter 2009 Senior Profiles

Michigan Alpha's new generation of active members are well-rounded young men who balance classwork with fraternity life and participation in other activities on campus.

The Alumni Association encourages alums to meet the active chapter members at functions such as the annual Homecoming Open House and Founders Day Dinner. We think you'll be inpressed by the quality and character of the young men who are carrying on Michigan Alpha's long tradition of excellence on campus.

The following three active chapter members are among the seven seniors expected to graduate in 2009:

Name: Jeffrey Bartels, Jr.

Hometown: Kalispell, Montana

Major: Geological Sciences

Pledge Class: Fall of 2006

Career Plans:

I joined the Naval ROTC at U of M to become a fighter pilot. I recently got the news that I've been selected for flight school. This is an extremely competitive program, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I believe in a strong national defense and it would be a great honor to serve our country as a Naval aviator.

Experience in Michigan Alpha:

Phi Delt has taught me leadership and organizational skills that complement my academic work at U of M. I've made great friends whom I plan to stay in contact with throughout my life.

Name: Andrew O'Donald

Hometown: Greenville, MI

Hometown High School: Greenville Senior High School

Pledge Class: Fall 2005

Majors: Business & Ancient Greek

GPA: 3.4

Activities and Leadership Positions at U of M:

Member of the U of M Ski Team

Activities and leadership positions in Michigan Alpha:

Alumni Secretary, Webmaster

Experience in Michigan Alpha:

Phi Delt has taught me leadership and organizational skills that complement my academic work at U of M. I've made great friends whom I plan to stay in contact with throughout my life.

Plans After Graduation:

I plan to work for Microsoft at their headquarters in Seattle. I will be working in a marketing position.

Name: Joe Churukian

Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI

Hometown High School: University of Detroit Jesuit High School

Pledge Class: Winter 2006

Majors: Neuroscience & Armenian Studies (Pre-med)

GPA: 3.5, Honors: University Honors (2005, 2006, 2007); William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (2006)

Activities and Leadership Positions in Michigan Alpha:

Scholarship Chairman and Librarian.

Experience in Michigan Alpha:

Joining Phi Delt was one of the best decisions I made since coming to college. The fraternity has made my years at U of M more meaningful and enjoyable.

Plans After Graduation:

After graduation, I plan to attend medical school.

Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Michigan Alpha Centennial 1964

Homecoming 2013

Harmon BBQ 2013

Homecoming 2012

Mud Bowl

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