Lambda Chi Alpha - University of Illinois

Chi Zetagram 6 Brothers at Rumpus Christmas X. Front row: Dan Swindle '02 X1684, Joe Coughlin '03 X1705, and Ryan Kragie '03 X1709. Back row: Matt Poole '02 X1683, Rob Kaskovich '03 X1702, and Seth Ellis '05 X1700. Seth Ellis '05 X1700, Joe Coughlin '03 X1705, Dan Swindle '02 X1684, Matt Poole '02 X1683, and Rob Kaskovich '03 X1702 at the invitation photoshoot prior to Rumpus Christmas XII. LIFETIME OF TRUE BROTHERHOOD A Lambda Chi Christmas: e Story of Rumpus By Joe Coughlin '03 X1705 I t was Chicago cold; a night when the winter chill knives through all your layers. ough, it wasn't the 20 degree temperature that made it unusual—it was the tilted snow. Falling not fast, but furious, thick flakes mounting by the minute and enchanting to witness through windows of three-flats and brownstones on Chicago's north side. If you wanted to go somewhere, it was barely possible, but for a certain group of friends, one powered by two- fists-full Chi Zeta brothers, however, braving the elements was essential to their brotherhood. It was the Saturday before Christmas in 2008: the night of Rumpus Christmas VII. e Cubby Bear was about to play host to nearly 200 spirited 20-somethings, all of whom managed the cold, snow, and traffic to engage in the most enthusiastic annual reunion this side of Champaign. e eighth installment of Rumpus Christmas was the grandest, at least in terms of attendance, for the party born in a small, top-floor corner room in the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter house. ere, just before holiday break in 2002, a cohort of Lambda Chis conjured up a Christmas get- together, calling it "Rumpus Christmas," named aer the event's setting: the Rumpus Room, a community space for a group of six residents, including Jeff Petersen '03 X1744, Rob Kaskovich '03 X1702, Ryan Kragie '03 X1709, Scott Fey '03 X1703, Seth Ellis '05 X1700 and me, of 3H. e Rumpus Room nurtured our brotherhood. e name for our annual Christmas celebration means much more now, but back in 2002, we just wanted to name a party. Rumpus I only had about 12 people, but a tradition was born. Rumpus II moved down a floor to 2A, spanning two rooms—more guests, more gimmicks, more charm. Rumpus Elves, as we affectionately called ourselves, dressed in slacks and vintage sweaters. Rumpus Christmas was growing and with each step, it held tightly to its warmth and identity. e last Rumpus was the following year, hosted at an apartment complex on Daniel Street, where the event's significance became undeniable. More elves hopped aboard: Adam Hardy '02 X1680, Luke Hazzard '02 X1685, Dan Swindle '02 X1684, Matt Poole '02 X1683, Tim Havlir '01 X1666, Adam Mazur '03 X1727, Mario Moreno '03 X1712, and Will Prebil '73 X1741. Nearly a hundred people circulated the hallways like blood through veins. Rumpus was the heart. Rumpus's turning point, from fad to institution, happened our first year out of college. e annual party could have ended. It was still infantile; we were now adults. Instead, Rumpus IV helped us recognize that we meant more to each other than any of us realized. Rumpus Christmas was our excuse. In the ensuing years, Rumpus became an unparalleled event. In those years, attendance spiked. More brothers became regulars: Rob Berman X1671, Ralph Barszcz '02 X1710, Brothers at the Rumpus Christmas VI invitation photoshoot. Front row: Jeff Petersen '03 X1744, Adam Hardy '02 X1680, and Tim Havlir '01 X1666. Back row: Joe Coughlin '03 X1705, Dan Swindle '02 X1684, Rob Kaskovich '03 X1702, and Ryan Kragie '03 X1709. (Continued to the right on page 7)

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