Gamma Theta Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Flordia
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1396561
GAMMA THETA TIMES | 2 F rom a very early age, Steve Boone '80 and Jeff Boone '80 had a good understanding of how special it is to work together with people you care about toward common goals. ey witnessed that first-hand while growing up and watching their father start his own law firm in Venice, Florida, and make a massive impact while working with others to build the community. Steve and Jeff joined their father at Boone Law Firm aer graduating from the University of Florida, but not before joining another organization of like-minded people with high expectations. e Boone brothers feel blessed to have gravitated toward Gamma eta during their time at UF, and they remain active in their efforts to building a stronger Sigma Chi brotherhood at their alma mater today. "I believe any alumnus who had a positive experience while an active brother has a duty and responsibility to give back to and support the chapter in any way they can," Jeff said. "We were supported by older alumni when we were actives, and it's our turn to do our part for those who follow us. I am also 100% into the fact that we are a lifetime fraternity and to reconnect and stay in touch helps keep that lifetime experience alive." All the fun times Steve and Jeff shared with their Gamma eta brothers while hanging out around the chapter house, eating in the dining room, playing interfraternity league sports, going on road trips, and attending band parties, socials, and Gator games are still some of their greatest memories. Steve and Jeff remain in close contact with many Sigma Chis in the Venice area, and Steve also bought a second home in North Carolina near two Gamma eta brothers. "Sigma Chi introduced me to my best friends in college and they are my best friends 40 years later," Steve said. "It was the perfect place for me. We shared the same morals, values, expectations, hopes, and dreams." Along with gaining dozens of lifelong friends in his fraternity brothers, Jeff was introduced to his best friend, Shirley, who was a Gamma eta Little Sister. Jeff and Shirley are now married with three children who are all UF graduates. Steve and his wife, Jennifer, also have three children. Aer becoming values-based leaders at Gamma eta who were committed to the betterment of character, campus, and Grateful for the Gamma Theta Experience Steve Boone '80 and Jeff Boone '80 Share How Sigma Chi Has Impacted eir Lives Blake Hostetter '81 and Steve Boone '80 with their wives in the Netherlands. community, it was time for Jeff and Steve to apply those values during law school and then while working with their father at Boone Law Firm. With now having nearly 80 combined years between them of practicing law, Jeff and Steve have helped their family firm earn an AV rating, which is the highest possible rating from the Martindale- Hubbell Law Directory. What's more, the values they've learned from their father and Sigma Chi have been passed down to Jeff 's son, Jackson; his daughter, Annie; and Steve's son, Stuart, who now work with them at the family firm. "I spent several years with young men my age whose character truly inspired me. e values of Sigma Chi have been an irreplaceable part of my life," Jeff said. "I learned there is great benefit in getting past first impressions of people and that being around people who have different opinions and perspectives is tremendously important. I also learned how to work with many different types of people and saw how the end results of that work are oentimes stronger than it would have been otherwise. Any successes I have had in my life are due in large part to my experiences in Sigma Chi." You can connect with Jeff at jboone@ boone-law.com and Steve at sboone@ boone-law.com. Mark Mayfield '81, Clay Johnson '80, and Jeff Boone '80 play golf in Vegas.