Looking for fraternity at Texas in Austin

[TEXASams]

Hi. I'm new in this forum. I'm going to the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. Everyone expects me to join ZBT (Jewish, they have the highest GPA on campus; they'd have good contacts for later, etc.). Only thing is, I couldn't find much in common with them when I visited! I'm looking for a fraternity where the guys are pretty athletic. I played most of the Varsity sports in high school, and even if I decide not to play intramurals or club ball, I like talking to guys who like and understand sports. Does anyone know any good fraternities there who have this quality, but the guys are intelligent also?

Thanks!

[Mooch279]

I would say join Lambda Chi, but I'm bias.

Seriously just go to as many rush events as you can with as many of the houses on campus and see which one fits. Looking at their ifc website (http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gle/ifc_info.htm) you'll have plenty to choose from. There is bound to be one for you, if not more.

[DeltAlum]

I agree with the above. Delta Tau Delta has a very good chapter there with a newly remodeled house.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by TEXASams
Hi. I'm new in this forum. I'm going to the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. Everyone expects me to join ZBT (Jewish, they have the highest GPA on campus; they'd have good contacts for later, etc.). Only thing is, I couldn't find much in common with them when I visited! I'm looking for a fraternity where the guys are pretty athletic. I played most of the Varsity sports in high school, and even if I decide not to play intramurals or club ball, I like talking to guys who like and understand sports. Does anyone know any good fraternities there who have this quality, but the guys are intelligent also?

Thanks!

I would tell you to look into Alpha Epsilon Pi. The chapter is refounded but still has a history at Austin back to 1939. The reason why I recommended it to you is that you can get the Jewish environment (the only Jewish fraternity nationally actually), the rich history, the strong national expansion (25% increase in chapters in the last 4 years) and the ability to come in and make a difference.

You can pull in guys like you - the athletic guys, the smart guys and you will be a part of something bigger. You won't be just following - just signing up with whomever and forgetting about your experience after 4 years, you'd be leading and joining something you will enjoy for a lifetime.

-Rudey
--But leading isn't for everyone.

[Mooch279]

Originally posted by Rudey
(the only Jewish fraternity nationally actually),

Are ZBT, AEPi, TEP not of jewish origins?

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Mooch279
Are ZBT, AEPi, TEP not of jewish origins?

AEPi is not just of Jewish origins...AEPi is Jewish.

AEPi is not just historically Jewish...AEPi is Jewish.

Understand the difference?

-Rudey

[PhiPsiRuss]

The Phi Kappa Psi chapter at UT-Austin is quite good, and is celebrating its centennial anniversary! Its where the late Tex Schram was a Phi Psi.

Their web site is http://www.utphipsi.com

I'm also Jewish, and I joined Phi Psi, at FSU, in part because religion was a non-issue. We are the oldest non-denominational fraternity, and we had Jewish majority chapters as far back as the 1870s.

This chapter has very rich programming, including leadership retreats in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where they stay at the Phi Psi Leadership Academy. You can read about this academy at http://www.CaboAlpha.com/

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

[SiKeS]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
The Phi Kappa Psi chapter at UT-Austin is quite good, and is celebrating its centennial anniversary! Its where the late Tex Schram was a Phi Psi.

Their web site is http://www.utphipsi.com

I'm also Jewish, and I joined Phi Psi, at FSU, in part because religion was a non-issue. We are the oldest non-denominational fraternity, and we had Jewish majority chapters as far back as the 1870s.

This chapter has very rich programming, including leadership retreats in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where they stay at the Phi Psi Leadership Academy. You can read about this academy at http://www.CaboAlpha.com/

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

I've looked at caboalpha.com before.. That's so awesome. Wow.

-Matt

[Kevin]

I'd just recommend that you wait until you can go through formal rush.

Sounds like for you, it may be a little early yet to make a decision.

[Tom Earp]

Try greekpages.com.


You can check out web sites for the school.

At least give you a better picture.

From there, you can check the National Web Sites for a bigger picture.

Best advice, keep an open mind and decide on the Fraternity that you feel the most comfortable with!

Good luck in the Fall!

[g41965]

I went to UT from 1984 -1988. My fraternity DU is currently inactive since 2000, so maybe I can be objective, if somewhat out of date.

Fiji has a superb chapter at UT ,SAE's are strong, Delt's KA's Sig Ep's are very good. All chapters engage in summer rush and have most of the fall class in hand by August 1.
All have a hard core of guys from Dallas and Houston, but anyone who says that they don't pick up guys that are sharp in rush is lying, most of these chapters have 40 man pledge classes and they pick up 10-15 guys through rush like all the other chapters.
ATO got booted off campus in 1986 came back in1990 don't know anything about them.
Phi Psi is solid, I heard Pike, Sigma Chi and Kappa Sig had gotten a little smaller.
Lambda Chi, Delta Sig and Beta were all good when I went to UT don't know what their current status is,all fraternities are smaller.
In 1984 when I pledged we had an 85 man chapter and we were small to medium sized, Now 85 is probably slightly above the average.

Go through rush see who you like.

Good luck!

[ChiOKateO]

I say check out Chi Omega.

Just kidding, since a lot of people were recommending their own chapter. I don't even know if they have chi o lol.

[SiKeS]

Also I doubt they'd let a guy join Chi Omega.

[moe.ron]

Go through rush, get a feel of the fraternities. You'll find your right "home."

[ChiOKateO]

Originally posted by SiKeS
Also I doubt they'd let a guy join Chi Omega.

Yeah, it was a joke . Even though a friend of mine in another sorority made the random comment that they could probably let a guy join as a new member as long as he didn't go beyond that or something really weird that made me go whaaat.