Another SA Item on Ebay??!

JLyons · #1 10-29-2002, 12:21 AM

This is a very interesting pin for Sigma Alpha. I would love to hear the history on this design. (said jokingly)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...item=729045435

SigAlGal · #2 10-29-2002, 09:34 AM

WOW, that is scary! I hope I don't ever run into a sister wearing that!

Allie · #3 10-29-2002, 11:50 AM

From the color and design, it makes me wonder if there was ever any locals named Sigma Alpha before our organization went national. Either way we know it's not one of our pieces, although I would love to hear the history of it.

JLyons · #4 10-30-2002, 12:51 AM

I started wondering the same thing. After seeing this item as well as the pin a few months ago, I too started to wonder if maybe there wasn't an organization before us. Or maybe someone is just creating jewelry with Greek letters on them thinking someone may want to buy them. Don't know why they would but you never can tell.

wptw · #5 10-30-2002, 06:14 PM

Hello all,

Yes, in fact there were quite a few local fraternities and societies called Sigma Alpha. At least 6 others that I can think of.

This is not surprising since there are only 576 possible name combinations using 2 greek letters.

Most were locals. But one was a fairly active national before dying out in the late 1800s.

wptw

JLyons · #6 10-31-2002, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the information. It is very interesting. You would happen to know anything about the nationals that died out and what happened to cause their fold?

wptw · #7 11-01-2002, 10:18 AM

Hi Jenny,

There was only one Sigma Alpha national that I know of. It was founded at Roanoke College in 1859 and was also known as the black badge society. 9 chapters were established before the group died out in 1882. An unsuccessful attempt to revive the group was made in the 1920s by a few of the original alumni.

The rest were all locals.

wptw

JLyons · #8 11-01-2002, 10:23 AM

Thanks for taking the time to post the information. Very interesting stuff.