Laugh So Hard Your Guts Hurt

September 2006

Boring day? These hilarious memories will put a smile on your face and take you back to your days as an undergrad. Relive your wild days and share your memories with us at here.

What is the memory that makes you laugh hardest today?

“Old Bruno, our mascot, not allowing a kitten, that belonged to the cook, up on the second floor. Bruno knew he wasn't allowed upstairs, so when the kitten started up, Bruno let it get to the first landing, then went up and picked the kitten up gently in his mouth and deposited him at the foot of the stairs. The kitten made three attempts and each time Bruno picked him up at the 1st landing and brought him down. Then the kitten gave up.” - Charles S. Otto, ’43

“When we were in "Help" Week, one of the pledges (V.S.) made all of us laugh so hard.  We were in a game of Firemen Drill and the pledge took some water, ran up the stairs and to the back area where he spit out on a fire on the ground.  The funny thing was that all the other pledges just spat and off again.  This pledge continued to spit out water like a hose!  It kept coming and coming out of his mouth.  Actives outside just roared and roared.  Of course, we had had a number of beers which made it even funnier.” - Milan (Mike) Marich, ’54

“How messy we got playing in the Mud Bowl games and trying to clean up afterwards to look presentable.” - George R. Emme, ’63   

“My fondest memory of living at the house was the tray slide built each year in the winter months. As soon as we had enough snow, we'd construct an elevated slide running from the parking lot, down the hillside, with a high bank at the corner of Washtenaw and South University and then out into the bowl. Once the snow was in place, we would spend hours hosing down the slide to achieve a smooth, thick coating of ice.  Metal trays from the kitchen were outfitted with rope handles attached to the sides and a foam rubber pad or pillow was attached to the bottom.  Trips down the slide would start in the parking lot by taking the longest, fastest possible run, with the tray pulled tightly against your rear end.  Once at the slide, you'd jump, feet first, landing, hopefully, on the tray.  The object of each run was to get as high as possible on the bank at the corner without actually going over the top.  More than a few coeds were wiped out and several brothers barely avoided serious injury when the speed of the slide was too great and they would fly up over the bank, across the sidewalk and out into traffic on South University.”  - David Fielding, ’68

Describe the best party

“The Pirate Party. Everyone was in costume. The girls had to walk the plank to come in and fall into your arms at the end. Dinner was served on tin plates, as "Grog" (cider with a little rum) was served in pewter cups from a wooden cask. At that time the 3rd floor was used as a ballroom and was appropriately decorated with skull and crossbones and pirate scenes.” - Charles S. Otto, ’43

“The South Sea Islands Party when we had sand up in the dorm, lots of cool drinks,  and appropriate dress for a outdoor beach party.” - Milan (Mike) Marich, ’54

"Hash night, Tom Ames at the butter, and every other 1st and 2nd hash nights.  I hope you guys still do two nights!"-Brett Goldman, '95

"Toga parties in the dorm.  My girlfriend(now wife) and I went as escaped slaves in black greasepaint and burlap bags and chains.  Won first place.  Following year we went as Minerva and the Lion.  Won again."-Robert A. Jones (Bob), '58

"Mud bowl.  Parties in the dorm.  Meals with the brothers.  Living in the house turned my academic life around, for the better."-Cal Ernst, '59


What is the one memory you have shared or will share with your children or grandchildren?

“The great experience and close relationships developed in the fraternal life.” - George R. Emme, ’63    

“The experiences and smells of living in a house with 40 other guys.” - Steve Proper, ’89

"Our pledge class spent hours tearing out walls of plaster in the old house after the fire. It was nasty work and very messy. We also got in a mess when an itinerant girl came to visit and left many with somethings they didnt want. The next fall we showed up for school and the house wasnt ready so we had to sleep on the floor of various other locations. The house was so beautiful when we finally moved in and well appreciated, and what a great location. The alumni need to do all they can to preserve this treasure, including impressing upon the current brothers their need for a high level of responsibility." -Mark Rieger, '69