I used to be a freshman in fall 1988 on the College of Maryland at School Park, and I pledged Pi Kappa Alpha that semester.
My pledge class needed to dedicate numerous time from Monday, October 10, by means of Saturday, October 15, 1988, establishing and cleansing after events, collaborating in Homecoming actions, and holding seats on the stadium for the Homecoming soccer sport between our Maryland Terrapins and Wake Forest.
The Terps misplaced that Homecoming sport 27-24, bringing their document to 5-6.
Earlier than Homecoming week began, every pledge had to purchase a T-shirt, and I nonetheless have mine. The general theme that yr was “Out of This World,” and our matchup was with Kappa (KK?) and AGR (A??).
Throughout our numerous competitions, like volleyball and a float we constructed for the Homecoming parade, we had a easy chant that’s nonetheless an earworm for me…
Are we psyched?
Sure, we’re!
PiKA, Kappa, AGR!
It was numerous enjoyable having every day events, and a few days we’d have a cheerful hour and a celebration at night time. This was a kind of weeks once I simply forgot about class, and it helps clarify my 1.0 GPA that semester.
Proper beneath the phrases “Out of This World” on the entrance of my t-shirt, there’s a gap. That gap was the place my pledge pin had been, and it was ripped off my shirt by some drunk brother. I now not have the pin, however the gap has jogged my memory all these years later.
That was the second time in two weeks {that a} brother ripped my pledge pin off. The week earlier than, I needed to go to PAB (Pledge Advisory Board) to elucidate myself after getting arrested at our pledge tenting journey.
After going by means of the frat kangaroo court docket, I had my pledge pin ripped off and was informed I used to be kicked out of my pledge class. I got here again to the soccer tailgate the subsequent morning and acquired my pin again. I used to be by no means really kicked out. Simply among the drunk hazing thoughts video games.
Anyhow, the factor I most keep in mind from the night time of PAB was that it acquired in the best way of a free MTV live performance outdoors of my dorm with the Godfathers and Dwelling Color.
As I acquired nearer to my dorm after PAB, I might hear the music blasting, however I wasn’t up for standing within the crowd at that time. I assumed I used to be bounced from the frat. However I beloved these bands.
After I acquired to my room, 8151 Cumberland going through La Plata Seashore, I opened my window proper as Dwelling Color was enjoying “Cult of Persona.”
Look in my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of character
I do know your anger, I do know your desires
I’ve been every part you need to be
I’m the cult of character
That was fairly apt for my night time by the hands of the brothers. And the entire pledging semester.