Fifty Years of Theta Chi

Fifty years ago, in December 1970 I began my journey as a Theta Chi. I was still in high school at the time but my best friend and Big Brother to be, Anton Krucky, was a freshman living in the house. We had been playing basketball together for years and started going to Maryland Basketball games when Lefty Driesell was hired. 

Anton asked me to play for the Theta Chi basketball team as a “Ringer”. So, I began my fifty years as a Theta Chi on the basketball court in Reckord Armory proudly wearing my OX tee shirt. I’m pretty sure I washed it before wearing it to class at Parkdale High School. That Spring I took a few girls to the big parties at the house.

I didn’t apply to any other Colleges, even turning down a partial football scholarship to Georgetown, because I was already a Theta Chi in my mind. 

Moving into the House over the summer of 1971 before school started was a no brainer. My friends from high school joined that fall as well – Bart Teems, TR Gardner, John Koby and others. Anton, TR and John went on to be Chapter Presidents consecutively. Bart has continued to support the Chapter as our IT Guru and Alumni Outreach Coordinator. 

The early Seventies were unique in many ways because of the Vietnam War. The OX Brotherhood had many Veterans who served our country and then returned to college at Maryland. The OX Veterans attracted other Vets. These men were very influential in the Brotherhood. Their experiences were different from those of any college students. On Campus there were divergent factions. Maryland was in the National news when student protestors occupied and closed Route 1, which was a major artery back then as Route 95 had not been built yet. These Anti-War protestors viewed the Greek System as part of the Establishment and were “Anti Greek”. 

The Brotherhood was an eclectic group back then. Several recent Alumni continued to live in the house as well as brothers who had flunked out but stayed in the house. Any brother who paid their bill was welcome to stay. I think there were around 15 brothers enrolled as full-time students. Some were working full time and going to “Night School”. 

We excelled as a Party House. Some would say the best parties… 

At least that’s how I remember it as a “Seventies Survivor”.