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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].

« Active Chapter President's Report for Spring 2009 | Main | Back Driveway Renovation »

North Porch Restoration Moving Forward
1950s Era Alums' Generosity Makes Project Possible

By Alumi Association President JT (Tom) Buck '77


North porch april 2009b [Posted July 2, 2009]  A very generous group of 1950s era alumni headed by John Buck ‘54 have made a wonderful gift to the chapter.  Five alums donated a total of $12,750 to enable the Alumni Association to reconstruct the old north porch of the chapter house.

John stepped up and gained the support of Dick Young ‘51, Doug Roby ‘56, Bob Leland ‘58 and Bernie Rinella ‘58.  

Without the generous donations of these brothers, the north porch restoration project would have languished on our improvements "wish list" for many years to come given the many immediate needs for our limited funds.

In 2001, the north porch roof over the kitchen was repaired and improved.  A shortage of funds kept us from being able to reconstruct the railings at that time.  The north porch has been off limits to the chapter for eight years.

While restoring the north porch was considered a high priority, during recent years the Alumni Association has been confronted by immediate critical needs to repair restrooms, the kitchen, serious water leaks in the dining room and foyer, carpet and painting throughout the house.  As a result, we were not making progress toward finishing the north porch project.

Because of the donations of our very own "fab five," construction of an attractive wooden railing North-porch-1 consistent with the historic architectural design of the front porch is now under way.  The north porch will be open for use in the fall.

On behalf of the Alumni Association, I wish to express our deepest gratitude for your commitment to helping us transmit our 106 year old chapter house to the next generation of Phis in excellent shape.  Thank you John, Dick, Doug, Bob and Bernie! 

You are models for all of us in choosing a project which contributes to making us proud of our chapter house.  We plan to have a reception in the fall to show off the fully restored north porch and a plaque commemorating this outstanding gift.

Finally, I would also like to thank all alums listed on the last page of the Sword & Shield who made donations to the 2008-2009 Annual Fund.  Your generous donations are the Alumni Association's main source of funding to provide communication services and perform essential maintenance on our historic chapter house.

Posted in Alumni Updates and News |

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