Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

During spring break 2023, Alec McGee '21 and Zach Goodrow '20 were thinking of ways to enhance Phi Psi's fall tailgates. Both came from families that liked to barbecue for backyard parties and large charity events, so they decided to become Pitmasters. There was an old, large custom smoker left over from our prior houses on Longview, but it was worn, rusted and in disrepair – just a mess. Alec and Zach went to work with metal grinders, masks, eye protection and a lot of sweat equity. Brothers Luke Elliot '21 and Finn Lindsey '22 joined the pitmaster team with Alec and Zach. Soon, the Phi Psi Barbeque Pit was born. The next step was funding. Spreadsheets were developed and presented to the chapter officers showing all the costs for food and supplies for large-scale events. With the support of the Treasurer and Social Chairman, our entrepreneurial Pitmasters presented a plan that would take some funds from the social budget and "Tom Sawyer" their brothers into helping with the smoking and serving. Historically, TAEF supported tailgates by purchasing barbecue from restaurants at the cost of about $6,000. Alec and Zach's spreadsheets said they could do it for less – enough less that they could do it for all football games, including the Alabama away game. A typical tailgate plan called for 117 lbs. brisket (raw), 104 lbs. ribs, 40 lbs. sausage, 80 lbs. mac and cheese, 10 lbs. jalapenos, 10 lbs. bacon and 12 loaves of bread. Now, they had to deliver. Cooking started around 7 p.m. on Friday, September 1, for a 2:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff. The brisket had to be on the grill for 8-10 hours and then off before the ribs went on, which then took 3-5 hours. That meant night shifts for the volunteers who cooked, and maybe less time with dates before the game. Alec and Zach's team also did the serving for portion control, which ran about two hours. The "Pit Team" all had a uniform with aprons and logos. It is an adventure, creating a buzz around campus – and it makes for great football tailgates for their dates, visiting parents and alumni. (And it is damn good barbecue!) Alec and Zach are now setting their sights on the Silver Spurs' chili cookoff next spring. No doubt they will form another great team and deliver chili every bit as good as their barbecue. Could barbecue be a career? Alec is pursuing a degree program in data sciences, and Zach in finance. But who knows? For now, they are planning to train the next Pitmasters before they graduate. But first, there are two more home games to cook for, including the Kansas State game which is Phi Psi Parents Day weekend. Pit Team parents will be proud. Alumni will be amazed. ALPHA AVALANCHE | TEXAS ALPHA | PHI KAPPA PSI | | FALL EDITION 2023 THE LEGEND OF THE PHI PSI PITMASTERS A NEW TAILGATE TRADITION BEGINS Brothers enjoy a tailgate with Texas Alpha's own home- cooked barbecue!

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