Considering to Rush Again

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yeah, unless you are a legacy of a former national president or something (i.e. have been steeped in fraternity lore since you were a zygote) I can't imagine any fraternity rushee talking about how much he loved the motto and making a big hit. There are fraternities where the guys are more into their ritual, history etc than others, but that doesn't mean a rushee spouting it is a good idea. It makes you look stalkery.

Same with the Joe Paterno comment. Unless you have previous deep ties to Penn State, citing his motto makes you sound weird (and would have even before the scandal broke).

Agreed. You didn't give his name to an answer to the question "name someone who inspires you", but rather, “Who was the greatest influence in your life?”

I'm really curious as to how Joe Paterno had the greatest influence in your life above anyone else in the world. No parents, relatives, friends, teachers or coaches?

"I spoke about his Success with Honor motto and how it molded into the individual I became today."

How, exactly?? This alone might be a huge factor, and given that you claimed him as the greatest influence on your life, no amount of re-rushing is going to erase that. If, as you said, you "can't lie" and answered this question truthfully, I'd be pretty sure that your answer turned them off to you, quite possibly for good. I could be wrong, but after thinking about it more, I'm not sure how one recovers from something like that.

[rock5060]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Agreed. You didn't give his name to an answer to the question "name someone who inspires you", but rather, “Who was the greatest influence in your life?”

I'm really curious as to how Joe Paterno had the greatest influence in your life above anyone else in the world. No parents, relatives, friends, teachers or coaches?

"I spoke about his Success with Honor motto and how it molded into the individual I became today."

How, exactly?? This alone might be a huge factor, and given that you claimed him as the greatest influence on your life, no amount of re-rushing is going to erase that. If, as you said, you "can't lie" and answered this question truthfully, I'd be pretty sure that your answer turned them off to you, quite possibly for good. I could be wrong, but after thinking about it more, I'm not sure how one recovers from something like that.

When the question was asked, my first reaction was "oh no" because Paterno was now a controversial figure. Although I don't attend the university, I come from a community full of Penn State football fans and I learned many life lessons from the late coach. His quotes taught me the importance of confidence, studying hard to my full potential, and working together as a team. My parents, friends, and teachers all helped me influence my life in someway, but Paterno's influence connected all cylinders together. Although I feel betrayed after the scandal, I still credit him for bringing me where I am at today.

This may also seem strange...but the main motive of me rushing again is because of the death of my close friend back home during Spring Break and was unable to attend his funeral since I had to get back to school that day. Reflecting on his life and how he was a second brother to me and my football teammates made me miss the brotherhood developed during the rough times we faced. He also left a lasting legacy to the school because he treated everyone like a brother/sister. Because he taught me the importance of brotherhood, I want to do something to continue his legacy. The Rugby team doesn't have that brotherhood while many fraternities do on my campus.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by rock5060

This may also seem strange...but the main motive of me rushing again is because of the death of my close friend back home during Spring Break and was unable to attend his funeral since I had to get back to school that day. Reflecting on his life and how he was a second brother to me and my football teammates made me miss the brotherhood developed during the rough times we faced. He also left a lasting legacy to the school because he treated everyone like a brother/sister. Because he taught me the importance of brotherhood, I want to do something to continue his legacy. The Rugby team doesn't have that brotherhood while many fraternities do on my campus.

This is a way better answer than Joe Paterno. (Although it's kind of depressing that you have to be told that.)

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

This is a way better answer than Joe Paterno. (Although it's kind of depressing that you have to be told that.)

And leave out the part about skipping the funeral.

[rock5060]

Why is that?

[greekdee]

Originally Posted by rock5060

Why is that?

Hey -- not speaking for DeltaBetaBaby, and not judging you because I don't know the specific circumstances, but it struck me as strange that you didn't attend the funeral of someone you called a "close friend" and a "second brother." The reason you gave -- had to get back to school -- sounds weak since it is commonplace for people to rearrange plans and miss a day of school or work to attend a funeral, even for someone they wouldn't describe as a close friend. There may be a perfectly understandable and unavoidable reason for why you had to get back to school at that particular time, but without knowing why, it could make one wonder how much value you really put on the relationship with that person, or just how close you actually were. During recruitment, you can tell your story without mentioning missing the funeral. So -- don't risk being misunderstood. Just leave that part out.

[rock5060]

Originally Posted by greekdee

Hey -- not speaking for DeltaBetaBaby, and not judging you because I don't know the specific circumstances, but it struck me as strange that you didn't attend the funeral of someone you called a "close friend" and a "second brother." The reason you gave -- had to get back to school -- sounds weak since it is commonplace for people to rearrange plans and miss a day of school or work to attend a funeral, even for someone they wouldn't describe as a close friend. There may be a perfectly understandable and unavoidable reason for why you had to get back to school at that particular time, but without knowing why, it could make one wonder how much value you really put on the relationship with that person, or just how close you actually were. During recruitment, you can tell your story without mentioning missing the funeral. So -- don't risk being misunderstood. Just leave that part out.

I wanted to delay another day to attend the funeral, but he would've been pissed if I skipped school for any reason on his deathbed and fulfilled his wish. He even said that to classmates (who knew about his health situation) out on the West Coast. To make up for it, I spent the whole Spring Break comforting teammates who were with him on his deathbed. (My late friend stayed local and I was the only teammate who moved the farthest...275 miles). I won't mention this at all about missing the funeral but that was he said and I fulfilled his wish. The guy was brother/sister to all of us and a positive role model to the entire community. Whenever we had a problem, he was there for us. News of his death was like Magic Johnson announcing the world he had HIV.