Page 1 - Marching Along - Summer 2015

MARCHING ALONG A Publication of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Florida | Summer 2015 | Gamma Xi Chapter Alumni Relations Offce | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987 | www.ufbeta.org From the Alumni Association Alumni Spotlight: Gary Hames ’69 President hings are quiet now Beta Jock by Fred Wallrapp ’79 Tat the Beta house on Fraternity Row in o call Gary He was heavily involved in athletics while at Gainesville. The house is THames ’69 Florida. Beta was great at sports, and perennially taking a much deserved a jock is both an won the Orange division President’s Cup. Gary break after a very busy understatement was named All Campus in four sports, and was and successful school and an unfair recognized as the Gamma Xi athlete of the year year. Beta initiated nine characterization. three years in a row. He served as chapter Vice outstanding young men Perhaps a better President, Rush Chairman, and Social Chair. As in the spring, which followed a large fall way to describe social chair he remembers meeting on Friday pledge class. Beta actives continue to excel him is that he was afternoons with his counterpart at a UF sorority academically, with Beta ranked in the top a jock while he and matching up IDs of members of both houses fve among fraternities with a GPA above was an undergrad who needed a date for Saturday night. Yes, it was the all campus average. at UF from 1964 until 1969. It was a different a different world! He even represented Gamma They are also currently leading the time, a different world. Game days were still a Xi at a Beta Theta Pi General convention in BΘΠ Orange division in the President’s cup big deal on campus, but after barbeque chicken Ontario, Canada. standings for athletics (a calendar year prepared by chef Dusty at the Beta House, the On graduation day he received an invitation in competition). The main philanthropic brothers, naturally wearing coat and tie, would the mail from the U.S. Army to join their ranks. event of the year, Beta Bring It On, was head to Florida Field to see the Gators play. It was the height of the Vietnam War, and Gary again successful, having raised over Watching football was a more formal affair in decided he would prefer to serve his country in $12,000 for the Alzheimer Association. those days. Beta had a band party every Saturday the Air Force rather than the Army. His athletic Indeed it is great to be a Florida Beta! night, and fraternity row was a raucous place. prowess helped him in the Air Force as well. Unoccupied during the summer It is always fun to learn how brothers came He was called upon to teach basic combat and months, we are performing “regular and to be Betas. In Gary’s case it was an interesting survival skills while stationed at Laughlin Air routine” maintenance on the beloved journey. He came to Gainesville from his home Training base in Del Reo, Texas. While in the Air home of Gamma Xi so it will be looking in Tampa intent on being on the Gator swim team. Force he met and married his wife of 48 years, good when the fall semester begins. Fall At the time, a large majority of Gator swimmers Debby. Together they raised three children. is an exciting time at UF, and this year is were brothers of Beta Theta Pi. Before he The majority of Gary’s career was the 28 going to be no exception. We have a new realized this, and not knowing the error of his years he spent with Northwest Mutual Financial football coach, and high expectations of ways, he pledged Chi Phi fraternity. An older Services. During that time he helped guide what this year’s team is going to achieve. Beta, Jerry Livingston, who was an All American Northwest Mutual to become the preeminent This year, homecoming is scheduled swimmer at UF, saw his “offending” pledge pin fnancial services organization in the world. for Saturday, November 7th against on his shirt one day after swim practice. He Gary retired as Managing Partner of the frm. He Vanderbilt. As always, game days at the promptly removed it, threw it into the woods and spent four years traveling the country with NWM Beta House are a fun time. told Gary he was going to the Beta house that We will hold an Alumni Reception evening for dinner. Hames (Continued on Page 6) at least two hours prior to each home Gary pledged Beta that game. Please stop by the house if you night. If anyone from IFC are in town to reconnect with friends is reading this, trust me, from your college days (visit our website the statute of limitations ufbeta.com for more details as the season has run out! During our approaches). If you haven’t seen the recent conversation, Gary house lately, you will be impressed commented, “the years I with how nice it looks. And you will spent at Beta Theta Pi as get a warm reception from your brother an undergraduate were the Betas. If you plan to stay overnight fve most important and on a game day weekend, check out the enjoyable years of my life.” special “Beta rates” offered by our He made some great friends friends at the Paramount Plaza hotel. and has great memories of Call them at (352) 377-4000 or email Gamma Xi. He spoke of Mark@paramountplaza.com for rates his time at UF like it was and to make reservations. Special pricing yesterday, rattling off names typically expires about three weeks prior of brothers and adventures to each game, with the big games selling long forgotten by most. Not Gary with his Family. President (Continued on Page 6) Gary, he remembers it all.