OK, guys...Allow me to speak a kind word on behalf of my own fraternity. First, however, let me say that I have great respect for both Sigma Chi and Lambda Chi Alpha (Tom Earp, I know you call your chapters "Zetas"; are you really the #1 roll number for your chapter? If so, it's a great honor). Here in Florida, and especially here at Florida State, both LXA and Sigma Chi are among the very best of the leaders.
Nationally, I am proud that the Pikes have the largest average chapter size of any fraternity, and that is an honor we have maintained nationally, I'm told, over much or all of the last twenty years. Granted, size doesn't equal virtue or ensure good behavior, but it is one measure of enduring strength and popularity. I think it is possible that the fraternity with the highest profile might be the one to take the most hits from those inclined to fire shots at fraternities.
Here at Florida State, my chapter was off campus for years because of a very bad incident. But, before that our chapter was the leader. Today, after less than one year back on campus, the Pikes are the largest (131 men), won Greek Week, won intramurals, have the highest cumulative GPA, and have more varsity athletes than all the other fraternities combined. That doesn't mean that we are better than the other fraternities, but it is one measure of strength.
The man from Sigma Chi at the University of North Florida mentioned other Pike chapters in the state. Yes, the chapter at Florida did get suspended for one year but they are back now, and they are reclaiming their role as one of the leaders at UF. I'm sorry the UCF Pikes are having problems, but I'm told that they are traditionally one of the very best there. If that is true then they have a good chance of turning things around. I'd say, from what I've seen and been told, that the Pikes are across the board, if not the best overall fraternity in the state of Florida, we are at least as well respected and as high profile as anyone else. Our chapters at FSU, UF, Florida Southern, UCF, FIT, FIU, FAU, and the University of Miami are all considered leaders in their systems.
To the Sigma Chi from UNF, I'm truely sorry you have a negative impression of Pikes. I respect your opinion but I believe it is misplaced. I'd like to be able to show you another side of the Pikes. To the Lambda Chi from Murray State, I have read many of your other posts on these message boards and I know you are expremely proud of your chapter, with abundant reason. It happens that there are two Pike alumni from Murray State living here in Tallahassee. Both are older men and both have proven to me that for most of it's life that Pike chapter at Murray was the overall leader. If that's not true today, I am sorry to hear it, but with good alumni and a great history things can be turned around for the good.
Our alumni have told me that other fraternities here, including Lambda Chi and Sigma Chi, worked hard to get the Pikes reinstated. When trouble comes to those two fraternities, our alumni will work just as hard to help them recover and regain their strength. That's not a bad course to keep in mind these days.
Thanks for your time.
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