WESTWOOD – Jim Cochran and Ed Cox’s pledge class in the early 1960s packed a lot of punch. There were only two members – Jim and Ed – but each of them were elected Sage in future years 1964 and 1965.
The two returned to Sigma Pi Manor for the first time in 20 years for the Upsilon Chapter’s 83rd “Founders’ Day” celebration on Feb. 19. Jim, who had a reserved parking spot, found history repeating himself. He found a parking spot right across from the house when he arrived, a rarity these days!
During their days, brother Craig Owens was able to book bands that he knew in high school from his South Bay home for parties. At one party, two of the Safaris showed up, and at a memorable Pajama-reno of 1962, the Beach Boys played. (Jim and Ed both SWEAR this is true.) By 1963, the Beach Boys were ‘too big’ for campus parties, however.
Pajama-renos consisted of hot babes wearing not much – everyone wore pajamas, or less. Ed’s best costume is when he wore a flashing red light in his boxer shorts. There were mattresses laid 3-feet tall in the chapter room and a real bathtub full of never-ending Screwdrivers in the backyard. “Some dressed conservatively, some didn’t,” Ed said. Sadly, Ed has no old pictures of these parties – well before the days of cel phone cameras.
“It was a chance to grow up a lot,” said Ed, who arrived at college as a young 17-year-old from South Gate H.S. “Looking back, we caused a lot of damage but survived it. Sometimes kids think they’re invincible, but they really just lucky to live through it!”
However, by 10:00 p.m. on the night of Founders Day, the two warriors were ready to turn in.
“We faded a lot sooner than in years past,” Jim said. “Sigma Pi was a great experience. Ed and I worked a lot together. It was fun and educational and helped a lot in my later life.”
Ed is retired, having sold a bus dealership. He lives in Long Beach with his boat and motorhome.
Jim plans to retire from his fund-raising business this year after 38 years. Ed tells of how Jim underwent a lung transplant several years ago and has recovered very well. Jim stays in contact with brother Tom Dempsey (now an attorney in Westwood), and the son of his friend Steve Hoag, Chris Hoag, was an Upsilon brother who graduated last year.
Ed talked to Jim for the first time in 20 years prior to attending Founders Day, meeting up via the Upsilon website. One benefit is that Jim always has extra inventory from fund-raising sales. “He always has a trunk full of chocolate in his car,” Ed said.
For Jim, glad-handing rushees at the Big Purple House was good training for him. As rush chair, Jim landed 18 pledges, helped by parties and Hollywood-style searchlights.
“My goal was to get faces guys, and guys who would pay their house bills,” Jim said, a powerhouse at 5-foot-5. “We needed to get guys who were taller than me.”
Jim had a car, but he would go weeks without driving it because all the parties he needed were at home – kegs on a beer bus, a cheap rock ‘n roll band and a beer bust.
“We had kegs and there was always something going on,” Jim said. “I never spent any money socially. At Sigma Pi, they taught us when you work, you work hard. When you play, play hard. I spent a lot of time in the library, but when there was a party, I partied. I didn’t play a lot of cards.”
They also remember other learning experiences. Pearlie the cook insisted all brothers be punctual for nightly 6:00 p.m. dinner – and it began with a prayer. She ran a tight ship, but the discipline was a good lesson.