An Abbreviated History: The Zeta Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi
| 1976 | 1984 | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
Ever since the Fraternity first came here to Tech, in '76, our chapter has had a very rich history. One with many ups and downs; and with a showing that no other fraternity at Texas Tech can claim: True Brotherhood. Though perseverance and the strong foundation of the ideals we live by, represented in the letters Delta, Sigma, and Phi, the brothers of Zeta Zeta chapter are proud to call themselves Delta Sig’s.
This is their story:
It was the fall of 1976 and a new fraternity colony showed its face on campus to compete with the 11 other fraternities at Texas Tech University. After only one year, the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity was willing to recognize the new colony at Texas Tech as a full fledged chapter. The colony at that time was able to rush 40 members after only one year.
Along with the colonies at Sam Houston State University and California State University- Fullerton, the SMU (Lambda) chapter initiated the members of these new chapters into full brother status in 1977. Afterward, the "In appreciation to Lambda from the Alpha and Beta class of '76" paddle was made by ZZ to commemorate the event; this 26 year old paddle is still hanging in our lodge today.
With the excitement of the new chapter status the brothers of ZZ obtained enough money to have a lodge. The ’77 lodge is just a few houses down from our present lodge on Broadway. The charter with the founding members of the chapter was also received and is proudly hanging in our lodge today.
Unfortunately, with the excitement of our new house, charter and large membership, other circumstances caught us off guard. After a very large party the Zeta Zeta chapter was removed from the campus IFC and not recognized by Texas Tech.
However, Delta Sigma Phi National’s saw the potential of the dedicated men of Zeta Zeta. They did not remove the charter of the chapter; therefore, still allowing us to initiate men into the fraternity and keeping the lodge. From the year 1979 to the year 1983 we were still at a steady membership and annually petitioning Tech to recognize us as part of IFC.
In the spring of 1984, IFC voted to once again recognize Zeta Zeta chapter of Delta Sigma Phi. With a newfound purpose, the Delta Sig’s at Tech decided again to become the strongest fraternity on campus.
With the “new” Alpha pledge class setting the foundation, in the year of 1984 we initiated 53 men into our brotherhood. To commemorate this “new beginning” Sammy Covington (Beta) and Mark Sanders (Beta) made the 6 foot high and one foot wide “Beta” paddle. This paddle symbolizes the strength of our fraternity and other ritual symbols that the brothers know. Soon after, we went to the new “A- Frame” house near 34th and Quaker. With the lake nearby and the large size of our chapter, many good times were had there and rush went well.
Between 1984 and 1989, sororities could never resist the serenades by the brothers and were well known to mix with the “Delta Sig’s”. In those years we were the number 3 fraternity in size, won many awards such as Sig Ep’s “Fight Night”, Homecoming Float 1st place, and held the first “Ms. Greek Pageant” at Texas Tech University. Also we won the “All Greek Sports Blanket” many of those years.
From 1990 to 1997 came some of the most difficult years for our chapter. We had decided to move to a lodge on Main Street next to Bash Riprock’s Bar and Grill. With the Greek Circle being developed and new fraternities coming on campus recruitment was not quite as easy as it was before. Many possible “new members” were materially leaning towards other fraternities on campus. But, Delta Sig was never one to flaunt money and spend on needless embellishments to prove their brotherhood.
Possibly the worst hit that the chapter has ever felt was the fire at the Main Street lodge in 1997. It was declared to be arson by the Lubbock Police Department and they were unwilling to do an in-depth investigation. Needless to say, the brothers to this day do not know who was responsible but, we know, it was not by any of our members doing.
In the spring of 1998 we decided to move on and used this chance to get on Greek Circle. After the Delta Tau Delta’s got kicked off campus the same year, their old lodge was open for rent. We found a new home there and from then on it was known as the “old Delta Sig lodge”. There was much work to be done at that house; however we made the most of the location. Parties and brothers were a common sight at the corner of the block. Along with the ZTA’s and other sororities nearby that would come over. In those years we had some of the strongest sports teams and won Homecoming Float 1st Place for the forth time since 1977. We also had theme parties such as “6 Packs and Haystacks”, “Party at the Pyramids”, “The Blood and Devil Halloween Party”, and other various mixers.
In the spring of 2000 we were forced to give up the lodge at #10 Greek Circle and had our meetings at Holden Hall for a semester. Although moving was a big let down and membership was declining, we had many achievements and with the Delta Sig spirit we persevered. Once again, we won the Homecoming Float 1st Place award in 2000 and gathered large recruitment classes even though we did not, at that time, have a house.
For the fall of 2001, Zeta Zeta with the help of alumnus Sammy Covington, decided to get a house that we could once again call our own. We moved into 2114 Broadway that semester and decked the walls with paddles, composites, and other memorabilia that was saved from the fire. We repainted the inside and outside of the house, we’re able to house up to 6 brothers in the lodge, and to improve the house we put in a new kitchen, laundry room, and showers. Also, we put in high speed internet in all the rooms and made other improvements.
Our efforts paid off with a large dedicated pledge class for the fall of 2001. Since, ZZ has had its 19th Ms. Greek Pageant for the sororities, its 3rd annual Texas Music Festival (an outdoor local country concert), and has had many success’. Improvements in sports teams helped us retain many titles in intramural sports and get more competitive in others. With the presently 24 other fraternities on campus, we strive to be second to none.
Now, with 16 seniors leaving in the spring of ’05 we are 30 men strong and looking for dedicated, potential Delta Sig’s to take their place. These gentlemen would continue the 27 year old history of our Zeta Zeta Chapter and the 105 year history of our fraternity we all hold close to our hearts.
As you can see, the Delta Sig’s have left a legacy at Texas Tech of honorable men and unwavering character. Proud to be nothing but ourselves and strive for a common goal as a fraternity- a brotherhood made of the strengths of the individual members.
To put the men of Zeta Zeta Chapter of
Delta Sigma Phi’s attitude about recruitment and membership in
perspective, let us say this:
“Choose College. Choose your residence hall. Choose to rush. Choose a fraternity.
Choose a big house, choose brotherhood, friends, bonds that will last a lifetime. Choose off campus housing, in house parties, and weekly chapter meetings. Choose Nile green and Carnation white.
Choose the best brothers you can find, graduating at the end of it all, looking back at the best four years you've ever had, and at the brothers you chose to succeed you in continuing tradition.
Choose your future.
Choose Delta Sigma Phi.”
- Submitted by Matt Cadwallader, YITBOS
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Copyright © 2004 Delta Sigma Phi, Zeta Zeta Chapter
Last modified on July 19, 2005.