Alabama Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Alabama
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1518267
SIGMA PHI EPSILON p. 5 T his fall, SigEp AL Beta hosted six successful home tailgates that allowed us to celebrate our brotherhood, get to know our valued alumni, and cheer on the Crimson Tide. We kicked off the year versus the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders tailgating on the quad, something we do for every non-SEC home game. As MTSU was the first game of the season, the brothers that live in the house elected to have a group wake-up call to Hells Bells and then set up the quad for what felt like Christmas day. During the tailgate, we grilled out and made some questionable decisions all before the Crimson Tide rolled to a forty-nine-point victory. The next Saturday, Tuscaloosa hosted the Texas Longhorns and College Gameday. Many of us camped out on the quad to secure a spot for one of the coolest traditions in college football. Additionally, AL Beta hosted a tailgate at the house with food from Archibald's and a cash bar set up by R&R Cigars. Unfortunately, Lee Corso was right for once, and Texas went on to beat the Tide 34-24. The next two games, AL Beta and the Crimson Tide decided to bounce back and show the SEC who owns college football. In the first, AL Beta hosted an intense tailgate at the house and demonstrated to the Ole Miss Rebels why Alabama is where legends are made. The tide went on to win the game 24-10. The following weekend, we hosted our annual Fall Parents and Alumni Weekend for the game against Arkansas. Brother Lane McCool '20 smoked a hog and burnt ends, while Chef Jeremy made brisket, macaroni and cheese, and various other sides to compliment Lane's work. Around 40 alumni attended the tailgate, and we were given the opportunity to connect with them and display all that we as a chapter have to offer. In the following game, AL Beta and the Crimson Tide bounced back. We hosted another house tailgate and many of our friends who attend the University of Tennessee, while Saban and crew showed Joe Milton that throwing the ball hard does not correlate to passing yards. The game ended with a score of 34-20 in favor of the Crimson Tide. Our tailgates ended with the LSU game. Chef Jeremy prepared a Cajun-style buffet centered around his signature Cajun chicken pasta. Knowing this would be our final tailgate of the year, we woke up early and got off to a hot start. The yellow hammers were flowing and so were the touchdowns. Alabama football put up forty-two points on the LSU Tigers, and Jalen Milroe accounted for four of those, letting all the naysayers know that he is one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football. While we fell short of a National Championship this past season, we look forward to the next with a new coaching staff, many new players, and an experienced Jalen Milroe. A huge thanks to those who attended throughout the season, and we cannot wait to host you all next year. Roll Tide, Jack Rudder '25 W e're excited to share an update on our Chapter's tailgates and our vision for the future. Throughout this season, we've had the pleasure of hosting over 500 alumni and family members. It's been especially rewarding to reconnect with those who are visiting our new House for the first time. In response to the growing interest, our Alumni Volunteer Corporation (AVC) has partnered with the Chapter to enhance the tailgate experience. Now, at every tailgate, you can expect served meals with elegant white tablecloths, an alumni check-in booth, a cash bar, and live music. Our goal is to make all alumni feel welcome, whether they're bringing their spouses, families, or friends to the House for any game. We even have a new parent group being organized to help oversee tailgates. While we're proud of the improvements so far, we're committed to doing even better. Looking ahead to next year, we plan to add a spacious front-yard tent complete with tables and chairs. Although it may not be in the exact location you remember, our aim is to create an atmosphere that fosters connections and allows for new memories on campus. Of course, these enhancements come with costs. We estimate that the AVC and Chapter will spend a combined $5,000 per tailgate to provide these benefits. That's where YOU our alumni come in. Your donations play a crucial role in ensuring we can host a full season of outstanding tailgates. Remember that 50% of any donation is tax deductible and contributes to our $100,000 AVC Endowed Scholarship (which is currently 70% funded). The remaining 50% directly supports our Tailgate experience, ensuring value for our members long after graduation. No donation is too small or too large. We appreciate your support and remain confident that we can enhance the gameday experience for all alumni and their families. As always, we'd love to hear from you! Donations can be made via PayPal to Alumni and Volunteer Corporation Alabama Chapter of Sigma, by Venmo to SigEpALBetaFund, or by check to our AVC PO Box 362112 Birmingham, AL 35236. HFF, 2023-24 Alumni Volunteer Corporation How You Can Support Alabama Beta— Alumni Tailgates and More! FALL 2023 TAILGATE RECAP