web
www.pdtumich.com

Michigan Alpha Centennial 1964

  • PDT MA Cen 7
    The Centennial Celebration 1964 jointly hosted by the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association and active chapter.

Homecoming 2013

  • PDT HC 13_993
    Homecoming 2013 at 1437 Washtenaw.

Harmon BBQ 2013

  • HBBQ9999999
    BBQ at the chapter house to honor Tom Harmon '41.

Homecoming 2012

  • 999
    BBQ revives tradition attracting strong alumni attendance.

Mud Bowl

  • F 998 90 MB 90
    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].

« Founders Day Dinner 2010 | Main | Active Chapter President's Report 2010 Spring »

Founders Day 2010 an Outstanding Event

Active Members and Alums Enjoy Guest Speaker
During Engaging Program

22 

[March 8, 2010]  The Michigan Alpha chapter hosted the 2010 Founders Day Dinner at the Michigan League on U of M's campus. The dinner followed a brief "meet and greet" at the chapter house.  A total of more than 65 Phis attended this year's events.  The highlight of the evening was terrific speech by sports commentator and author John U. Bacon.

11

The Michigan Alpha chapter house at 1437 looking good as signs of winter are still present.

12.5

Mackenzie Young '12, Cameron Young '08 and their father Doug Young '76 pose for a picture at the "meet and greet" before the dinner.

The Young family is a significant part of the heritage of Michigan Alpha with a total of five Brothers in the Bond (possibly the record for one family). Richard Young '51 is the father of Doug Young '76 and his brother Bruce Young '78.

Cameron Young is the newest member of the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association Board of Directors.

12 

View of the active chapter membership in the foyer of the chapter house during the "meet and greet" held prior to the dinner at the Michigan League.

13 

14 

View of the foyer of the chapter house after the actives left for dinner. The house is looking great.

15 

A total of more than 65 Phis and guests attended the dinner.

16 

The Vandenberg Room at the Michigan League provided a traditional setting for the event.

17

Michigan Alpha alums John Buck '54 and Charlie Green '58, Mrs. Green and active chapter President Tom Hardenbergh '12 attending the dinner at the Michigan League.

18 

Michigan Alpha active members at dinner.

19

Active chapter Alumni Secretary Matt Papadopolous '11 organized the event and served as the master of ceremonies.

20

Michigan Alpha active chapter President Tom Hardenbergh '12 presents the state of the fraternity.

21 
 
Michigan Alpha Alumni Association President JT (Tom) Buck '77 reported about the Alumni Association's activities and plans for improvements to the chapter house.

23 

Michigan Alpha Alumni Association President John Buck '77 thanks guest speaker John U. Bacon for making inspiring and entertaining remarks.

Bacon told entertaining and inspiring stories about Coach Bo Schembechler. Bacon explained how Bo's lessons for leadership could be applied to business, personal relationships, and, yes, even fraternities.

U of M alumnus Bacon is a distinguished author and commentator on Wolverine sports, collegiate athletics and other topics. He has written five books and many of this articles have been published in Michigan-based newspapers and national magazines.

His book "Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership" made the Wallstreet Journal Business and New York Times Business' best sellers lists.

He is also a guest lecturer at U of M and teaches a class on the history of Wolverine athletics which students have rated as one of the most enjoyable classes at the University. In addition, he has taught classes at Miami University (Ohio) and Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
 
25 

Michigan Alpha alums attending the dinner at the Michigan League. From left to right: Greg Karmazin '87, John Buck '54, JT (Tom) Buck '77, Cameron Young '08, Charlie Green '58, Nat Love '81, Mike Lissull '76 and Doug Young '76.

Posted in Events |

|