Author: Bradley Reichard

Herman Quispe tailgated for the Alabama-Texas national championship game last Thursday at the Rose Bowl. Even though our Bruins weren’t there, and even though the rest of us working stiffs were in the office, Herman and his brother Dorian wore their blue and gold and met some crazy Crimson Tiders.

Herman and Dorian arrived at 5:00 am, before most were even awake for Thursday’s work day, to get one of the first parking spaces. They set up their grill, made some soup, and waited for the SEC and Big 12 challengers to arrive.

Herman quickly made friends with B.U.T.T., that is the ‘Bama Ultimate Tailgating Team, and gained keen insight into throwing our Upsilon Tailgaters. The BUTT president was told he couldn’t bring a trailer and his grill to the game after towing it over 900 miles, so he was big-time hungry in the morning. Herman provided a heapin’ helpin’ of Bruin hospitality and filled the president up with some UCLA soup.

The BUTT president and his entourage initially wore Bear Bryant houndstooth boots, and later changed into crimson and white-striped overalls. He drank his beer (hopefully it was beer) from a hospital-grade urine collection bottle.

At the Alabama games, tailgated spaces are rented for the full year, and they come equipped with electrical and cable TV hookups. So much for the old days of transistor radios and charcoal grills!

Louisiana State games are considered some of the best tailgating parties in the country, with loads of jambalaya and gumbo. The jambalaya is made in huge pots, and when the it is ready, they put up a big sign that says, “Come and get it.” When it’s all gone, they put up another sign that says, “All gone.”

Herman built up good credit with our SEC compadres, so if the Bruins play Alabama again, we are all welcome to come between the holidays and share some ribs with the BUTT tailgaters in Tuscaloosa.

Herman also completed another successful year as a member of the Tournament of Roses. For this year’s parade, he was assigned to the Orange Grove Patrol, which entailed escorting floats to their parking spot in the formation area of the parade on New Years Eve. There were 42 floats total this year so this took most of the night. And then on New Years day he helped keep parade time, which basically means ensuring there no large gaps between entries before they get to Television Corner and are seen live around the world. Most entries were cooperative except the Ohio State Marching Band, which resulted in a stare down between Herman and the bandleader. And then there was the Kansai Honor Green Band, which decided to stop the parade and perform the Thriller video by Michael Jackson.

Pablo Rivas celebrated his 30th year of existence in style with a European Bash Tour with stops in Amsterdam, Prague, Barcelona, and Ibiza.

Him and his bro’s Nick North, Princeton Kim, and Tim Howell ran into Los Lakerz Pau Gasol in his hometown of Barcelona while  having a memorable dinner at La Barca de Salamanca.

Once the guys get back they all promise to update their profiles on the alumni database with more pictures.

On 10-4-2009, Barry Maiten received a City of Los Angeles Resolution, signed by the Mayor and the entire Los Angeles City Council, honoring Barry for his volunteering of his collection of classic Police cars, for various Police events.

Standing next to Barry, is his son 12 year old Shawn Max Maiten (who is wearing a LAPD SWAT vest). Standing on Barry’s other side is Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who is handing the City Resolution to Barry. On the far left, is Barry’s good friend Gary Goltz, originator and founder of the annual “10-4” motorcade and event, honoring all Law Enforcement agencies. In the background are some of Barry’s classic Police cars.

John Wooden turns 99 on October 14th.

A website has been set up to allow us to wish him a Happy Birthday.

To visit the site go to:

http://happybirthdayjohnwooden.com/guestbook/?p=1

As the school year begins to draw to a close at UCLA, we recognize yet another successful year at the Upsilon chapter. Our brothers have made great strides in all aspects of the brotherhood. Our chapter standing with university is at an all-time high even as numerous fraternities are being reprimanded by Greek relations. We installed our first faculty advisor, Keith Fink, who is a lecturer in the Communications Studies Dept., and a notable attorney in the field. We welcomed Mr. Fink into the brotherhood with a formal dinner followed by a post-meeting discussion about law school for interested brothers. He also encouraged students to explore beneficial international business opportunities, including China where he does work.

The chapter gives back to the community in a tremendous way. Philanthropy chair, Michael Spiker, organized and executed yet another successful ACE project (“Altruistic Campus Experience”). The philanthropy was a half-marathon in San Pedro where 25 brothers, sorority ladies, and friends finished the race and raised $3,600 for the UCLA Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center.

Our brotherhood this year lost a strong group of seniors to graduation. This Class of 2009 left its mark on Sigma Pi in a resounding fashion, and are already transforming themselves into successful alumni. Sam Cortina, formal social chair, will teach English abroad in the Marshall Islands before returning home to attend law school. Dave Lusby, former sage, will attend UCLA Law School. Philippe Gerretsen, who graduates with a 4.0 in mechanical engineering, will be attending USC graduate school in the fall for more engineering under a fellowship scholarship.

Our chapter continues to positively progress socially. All of our open parties, with one each quarter, were a tremendous success. We continue to have exchanges with all the top sororities and have been fortunate with a large graduating class to enjoy an array of pinnings from various sororities. On campus, we also continue to participate in almost every intramural activity. We competed in numerous playoff games, came within inches of the volleyball championship, and were able to lay claim to the inaugural wheelchair basketball title.

Upsilon completed yet another productive and fruitful year. Thanks to all our brothers and alumni, Sigma Pi at UCLA is a thriving component to the national organization. We shall continue success in the coming years as the chapter prepares for a new decade of fraternal achievement. – Kevin Monte, 1st Counselor.

Faculty advisor: Keith Fink, a Los Angeles attorney, served during the 2009 school year as the chapter’s first Faculty Advisor. He graduated UCLA in 1985 and was a member of the successful debate team. He earned a J.D. from Southwestern in 1989.

Fink is a lecturer and has designed the curriculum for classes in the UCLA Communication Studies Dept. on free speech in the workplace and on campus, and he is popular with Greeks, including Upilson students. He also is an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School.

Fink has taken controversial cases, including the sexual harassment case against American Apparel’s president.

Website: www.FinkLawFirm.com.

1. Upsilon Alumni Association: The general fund that collects annual dues, donations for the Bill Meyer and Julien D’Avanzo scholarships for active brothers, communications (website, mailings, Founders Day invitations), and events. Not tax-deductible. Annual dues: $35-100. Issue checks to “Upsilon Alumni Association”http://SigmaPiBruins.com/subscription.htm. Mail to: Scott Scheffler, Treasurer, 16 Fleet St., Apt. #9, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 – . Online payment information is no longer current. * UAA can accommodate “Memorial Donations.” If you wish to donate to the fraternity in memory of a specific brother, please contact me, and it will be included the designation in the next Pioneer. 2. Joseph Marsalek Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation: The chapter’s own, separate tax-deductible foundation, established in 2007. It is managed by the national fraternity’s foundation, but the funds are separate and under our discretion to be used for scholarships and loans for house renovations. Issue checks to “Sigma Pi Educational Foundation – Joseph Marsalek Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation.” Mail to: David Finkel, Treasurer, 1627 S. Camden Ave., Apt. #206, Los Angeles, CA 90025 – (310) 478-4293. Thank you to the following brothers who contributed to Upsilon during 2007 and 2008. Joseph F. Marsalek Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation (2007-08) # – Friend of Sigma Pi & Joseph Marsalek Grandest Orchid Level ($5,000) Estate of Joseph F. Marsalek c/o Ms. Julie (Marsalek) Wage Grander Orchid Level ($1,000) Carl Moroney Grand Orchid Level ($250) # Ernest Gall, Dirk Gall Jared Frandle Scott Scheffler David Shiokari Robert Webster Orchid Level ($100-250) James Ballard John Goodlad Claude “Skip” Keyzers Scot Kawano Bob Schrader Ralph Scott Robert Webster Emerald Level ($100) Bill Altman # Douglas & Sally Calderon Robert Doumakes Arthur Jones # Sharon Kelley Barry Maiten Tom Miller # Donna Ornell Chuck Osterlund Dan Romero # Susan Rubel # Robert & Judith Spare Fred Thornley Gold Level ($50+) Oleg Albert Paul Dinh # Patricia Dyer Brian Gross Joe Henriksen # John & Sally Jess # Ted & Mary Pagel Ben Perkins Michael Perl # Kevin & Dana Peters # Daniel & Gay Place David Randel # Donald Vokal Rob Ward Lavender Level ($30) # Martha Martell 2009 (dues paid through) Orchid Level ($100+) William Altman Steve Baker David Finkel John Goodlad Douglas Keppler Kurt Kenworth Claude “Skip” Keyzers Ed Kwak Robert Lashbrook Carl Moroney Scott Mosier Charles Osterlund Richard “Craig” Owens Richard Peters Brad Reichard (2018) Eugene Roche Rick Savage Steve Schechter Admiral James Seely (ret.) Sean Topp Al Venton Gold Level ($50) Rudy Feldman Evan Fong Ken Ingman Kurt Kenworth David Randel Everett Rea Karl Schuttenhelm Glenn Smith Bruce Thompson (2011) Nick Zorotovich Lavender Level ($35) Michael Alvarez Jeff Bara Dr. Rainer Beck Josh Brooks Taek Chang (2013) Joe Cruz Ian Doresh Gabor Fabian Andrew Fisher Bill Flores (2010) Gary Gross Ryan Henneberg (2010) Alfred Hernandez Robert Hillerman (2010) Richard Hofman Erik Johnson (2015) Kaveh Kamfar Princeton Kim (2015) Dr. Chris Koutures Steve Lantz Darrell Luzzo (2013) Bruce Macdonald Arturo Martinez (2011) Ron Mathis Franz Miller Raj Mistry Nate Murphy Liron Nelik Won Park Fletcher Riehl Ed Rhee Dan Romero (2014) Arturo Ramos (2013) Jay Ross (2011) Scott Scheffler (2010) Jim Seely (2010) David Shiokari (2010) Keith Shoji (2015) Matt Sumrow Adam Treiger Rob Ward (2010) Robert Webster (2010) Jason Won 2008 (dues paid through) Orchid Level ($100+) David Finkel Mike Flory Barry Maiten Carl Moroney Emerald Level ($100) Robert Doumakes Fred Jones Kurt Kenworth Douglas Keppler Robert Lashbrook Phillip Lyons Anthony Orfila Eugene Roche Ron Rule David Shiokari

Your gift to the Upsilon Alumni Association will make the difference in the lives of many of our fellow Bruin Sigma Pi brothers through scholarships, leadership training and values-based education.

As you create your personal estate plans, please remember the value of your membership and pass along the belief to others.

Sample text for a will: “I give and bequeath to the Upsilon Alumni Association, the sum of $___________ to be used in fulfillment of educational purposes as the Upsilon Alumni Association shall determine.”