Pi Kappa Alpha - Mississippi State University

Visit http://mstatepikes.kintera.org/donate to make an online gi. e Hunt Is on with Gamma eta Alumni Reunite for Annual Duck Hunt A tradition since 1999, the alumni duck hunt began when Tom "Bear" Anderton '67 and Charlie Rodgers '67 combined their love of Pi Kappa Alpha and duck hunting. When a couple bought an old high school gymnasium in St. Charles, Ark., to create a duck hunting lodge, Charlie immediately seized an opportunity. Known as the Popa Duck Lodge, he and Bear invited a group of 16 alumni for Gamma eta's first duck hunt. Since then, the tradition and attendance have grown exponentially. Unfortunately, Bear Anderton, who began the hunt, died of cancer several years ago, but we still feel his smile and laughter. For many alumni, the duck hunt is a tradition worth traveling for. Brothers have traveled from South Florida, Atlanta, Birmingham, Shreveport, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Wichita, Tulsa, Memphis, all over Mississippi, and even Wales. Yet, the tradition has changed over time. In the beginning, almost everyone did quite a bit of duck hunting. Now the appeal of rising early to sit out on cold January mornings no longer appeals to many. However, the Popa Duck Lodge is a great place for us to gather and spend time with one another. e staff prepares three delicious meals a day with snacks and so drinks. Brothers enjoy watching MSU college basketball and NFL playoff games as well as playing cards. e most prevalent form of entertainment is what we call "Phi Phi," which is our abbreviated version of our Pike motto, "Phi Phi Kappa Alpha." To us that means simply visiting, reconnecting, catching up, and telling old stories of our Gamma eta days. Most of us go home with sore stomachs from laughing and sore jaws from grinning the entire weekend. On Friday night right aer dinner we have a "chapter meeting" where we sit in a circle and talk about things like the chapter house renovation campaign, health and welfare of brothers from our era, and news about the chapter and MSU. From there, a small group takes a nature walk through the National Wildlife Preserve along the White River. Some alumni have begun their own traditions preceding and following the duck hunt, including road trips and touring local attractions. Brothers attending the duck hunt are given party favors to commemorate the event such as T-shirts, caps, and pictures. If alumni would like to become involved with this tradition, I suggest planning a gathering with brothers from your era. Popa Duck Lodge can handle groups of up to 41, and the new accommodation from Charlie can handle groups of 12 or less. Be on the lookout for a reservation request to secure your spot next year. We encourage all of our brothers to make plans to reconnect with their brothers who they shared time with at MSU and to enjoy those enduring friendships. Fraternally, Eddie Keith '67 Brothers reunite for the 2007 duck hunt. Brothers reunite for the 2018 duck hunt. We encourage all of our brothers to make plans to reconnect with their brothers who they shared time with at MSU and to enjoy those enduring friendships.

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