Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Missouri

MissouriAlpha • 2 • TheSigEpTigerHeart Q&A with Tom Urani '70 Q: Why did you join SigEp and what sense of pride did you gain as a member? A: I originally pledged another fraternity over my high school senior summer, but when I arrived in Columbia, I found things not to be as represented. A future SigEp Grand National president, Denny Bond '69, sat next to me in first-hour calculus and began recruiting me on the very first morning of my college career—totally ignoring his competitor's pledge pin on my chest. Denny can be very persuasive. In SigEp, I found a community of brothers with whom I bonded early and continue to count, proudly, as my closest friends. Q: Can you tell me a bit about your career path? A. I began my career as a cost analyst for ITT in Chicago and then morphed into computer sales. After several years, it became appar- ent that I could not hold a real job and became a serial entrepreneur, acquiring and managing a diverse group of companies. Included was Memphis-based Beechwood Corporation, which invented and pro- duced the beechwood aging chip for Anheuser-Busch beers, most notably Budweiser. I somewhat retired in 2009 but still work, se- lectively, as a business consultant while exploring new possibilities. Q: I understand you're a power- lifter. How did you becoming inter- ested in this sport? A: I was born with an extraordinary strength gene and, with my older brother's encouragement, began lift- ing weights at a very early age. I nev- er quit. In 2005, I was on the SigEp alumni board, at which time the proj- ect began to refurbish 405 Kentucky. I contacted long-lost brother and friend Rick "Kong" Conkling '71 to solicit a donation. Dr. Conkling recalled our weightlifting exploits in college and encouraged me to begin competing in powerlifting, a sport he became acquainted with while in chiropractic school. With Rick's endless encouragement and coach- ing, I began competing in October of 2010 at the age of 62. Q: Do you have any highlights from your powerlifting experience? A: From 2010 through 2015, I won eight world powerlifting titles, five sanctioned by the AAU. Included were two best lifter awards. In addition, I've set 26 American and 12 world records at different ages and in various federations. I am currently ranked the best 60-plus powerlifter and deadlifter of all time at 148 lbs. My proudest achieve- ment, however, was when in 2015, at the age of 67 and with a body weight of 148 lbs., I deadlifted 468 lbs or 3.16 times my body weight. PowerliftingWatch.com that year ranked me as the best deadlifter in America and seventh overall powerlifter, regardless of weight class, age or federation; something that still seems surreal to me. As a result of the punishment I inflicted upon my spine, I fractured my sacrum, retired from competition, and began refereeing. Incidentally, I won my first world championship in the High Sierra of Northern Califor- nia. At that meet, I sentimentally chose to wear a SigEp tee shirt with a giant "heart and pearls" on the back (I think it was good for an extra 10 pounds). Q: How did being in SigEp prepare you for life after college and what advice would you offer to undergraduates? A: Living with a diverse group of guys taught me to be tolerant of different opinions and seek compromise in achieving mutual goals. In an ever changing, sterile and computerized world, never underesti- mate the importance of personal relationships and the ability to influ- ence others. Anyone can sit at a keyboard and extract data but if that's your sole focus, you are doomed to a life of mediocrity. Be unique and aim high; the results will amaze you. Q: Have you stayed involved with the chapter since graduating? If so, how? A: For a considerable period, begin- ning in the late '80s, I served on the alumni board. I was flattered when asked to produce the pro forma and financial model used to evaluate and justify the renovation of 405 Ken- tucky. However, time moves on and so should old dinosaurs. Q: What is your spouse's name? Do you have any children? My wife's name is Patty. Collective- ly we have three sons, a daughter, and two granddaughters. Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? I enjoy driving fast, loud, well-handling cars rather than having non- descript cars drive me. To watch Tom Urani '70 deadlift 468 pounds, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjI7ubq0JIk.

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