What’s your favorite tradition? Was it the pre-game tailgates? Did your chapter hold an annual summer retreat? Is there a song or dance accompanied with your alma mater? Every school, university and fraternity or sorority has some kind of tradition that is kept alive through the countless members and students who continue to keep the roots of brotherhood strong.
During Housemother Lori Merritt’s time at Fresno State as an undergraduate and then Little Sister of the Alpha Sigma Chapter, the University held Vintage Days each Spring. It was a day of fun competitions for the entire campus to participate in. Each year the collegiates and little sisters participated in these events during the 80s and 90s. AGR was the group to beat — they won sweepstakes 10 years in a row — the University newspaper labeled AGR as having a “Decade of Dominance.” You could say their tradition was winning!
When new brothers step through the doors of the Alpha Sigma Chapter house, Lori gives them a history of the chapter, including the fun the chapter had at Vintage Days, showing them the trophies their alumni won and the Vintage Days shirts they used to wear. The overwhelming response from the new members was always disappointment that the event no longer has the games it once did. Then Lori realized that nothing was stopping her from creating her own Vintage Days for the Alpha Sigma Chapter, with the help of several alumni.
“Luckily, we have a great group of alumni who can be called upon to come and donate their time and funds to hold this event,” Lori said.
She noted there were alumni who brought frogs for a frog jumping competition, another alumnus who brought a barbecue and cooked for everyone, while some even came and explained competitions and coached the brothers through the various games. The Vintage Days Revisited, as Lori calls it, consisted of several rounds of competitions including, tug-o-war, frog jumping, pie eating, arm wrestling, tricycle races and cow chip throwing. These activities, and more, were once part of the original Vintage Days that several AGR alumni participated in when they were collegiates.
“It was a great way for the guys to kick off the new school year, interact with some alumni and hear about the old days,” Merritt said.
She said last year was the first year they held Vintage Days for the chapter. Several alumni were involved in some capacity through either donations or volunteering their time. This year, Brother Mike Way (Alpha Sigma, Fresno State) offered to fund the entire event. The alumni who ran the event or donated items this year included Brothers Eric Gaarde, Kevin Collins, Mark Merritt, Tony Tartaglia, Scott Powell, Steve Clark, Drake Hodge and Tom Merritt. Former little sisters who helped this year included: Angie Orr, Lisha Merritt and Kelly Pennebaker.
The festivities were held at a local cattle ranch in Clovis, California, owned by a gentleman who is not a brother of AGR, but attended Fresno State, and is a supporter of FFA and agriculture. He enjoyed having the brothers out so much that he offered the space for next year’s event.
“The men (collegians) just really enjoyed hearing about alumni experiences at Vintage Days past, and the common bond they share,” Lori said. “I just think that networking opportunities through AGR are so important. This was just another opportunity for the younger brothers to meet and interact with their alumni. We are lucky the alumni answered the call for help and support. I'm just really thankful for all their dedication to the chapter.”
She said next year, she hopes to see more alumni become involved in the event and that they get to uphold a new, old, tradition at Fresno State’s Alpha Gamma Rho chapter.
“Vintage Days Revisited meant a lot to the chapter. Not only was it a fun event to compete amongst each other, but it was also great to connect with our alumni who competed in Vintage Days when they were collegiates at Alpha Sigma. The support from our Housemother and alumni to organize the event was much appreciated,” the chapter shared.
