STLpikes Founders Day Event!

Good afternoon gentleman.

As I'm sure you are aware, Pi Kappa Alpha will soon be celebrating our 141st Founders Day. While I encourage everyone to try and make the trip up to Kansas City to meet and interact with past, current and future members at the Founder's Day Events that have already been planned, I understand that not everyone will be able to make it.

Simpson and myself have been discussing getting together those of us that will still be in the area for our own Founder's Day celebration. Tentatively, our plans include:

Saturday, February 28, 2009 @ Washington Avenue (Time to be determined)

Wives, girlfriends or whoever else you want to bring are more than welcome, the more the merrier.

We'll meet up and bowl a few at the Flamingo Bowl. We can reserve some lanes. It's a small place, but it's upscale and has a great bar and good food. Check out the link below:

http://www.flamingobowl.net/

We can only reserve lanes for up to two hours, so afterwards we can walk next door to The Dubliner. For those of you who haven't been, The Dubliner is a great Irish pub with a great atmosphere and they have bar areas both upstairs and downstairs. Here's the link to that place.

http://www.dublinerstl.com/

If anyone has any other suggestions of what to do instead, don't hesitate to let us know. We want this to be an event that will get as many of you to come as possible.

Attendance in the past has been less than ideal. Many of us have not seen each other in years and I hope that giving you this much advance notice will allow ample time to make arrangements. So make some effort to attend.

If anyone IS going to Kansas City and will be attending the alumni meeting, please let us know so we can come to you for a recap that we can post on here for the rest of the area alumni to check out.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, let me or Dan know.

We'll be sending out reminders every now and then to keep you guys updated.

Thanks guys

Matt Ellis '01

Possible Event @ Cardinals Game

Dan James [jamesd@rockhurst.edu], the Chapter's Alumni Relations Chairman, is interested in setting up an event with the active chapter members who are in St. Louis for the summer, and he suggested a Cardinals game. I think it's a pretty darn good idea.

His email is below:

"I was trying to think of a possible Alumni and Active event that your group of St. Louis Pikes could be involved in at some point over the summer and the best idea I had was a Cardinals game.

I was trying to think of a possible Alumni and Active event that your group of St. Louis Pikes could be involved in at some point over the summer and the best idea I had was a Cardinals game. I have not discussed this idea with the chapter as a whole, but the brothers that I have mentioned it too seemed interested. Since there is a large group that will be in St. Louis for the summer, I'm sure we could get quite a few actives to attend.

I just wanted to get your input as to whether this a good idea and see if you think the St. Louis Alumni would be interested. Let me know and maybe let me know dates that would be good and I could start planning it out."

Here are the summer weekend homestands:
Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1 vs. Pittsburgh
Friday, June 15 - Sunday, June 17 vs. Philadelphia
Friday, July 4 - Sunday, July 6 vs. Chicago
Friday, July 18 - Sunday, July 20 vs. San Diego
Friday, August 1 - Sunday, August 3 vs. Philadelphia
Friday, August 22 - Sunday, August 24 vs. Atlanta

KE Chapter Consultant Report 2008

I was emailed a copy of the 2008 Chapter Consultant Report for Kappa Epsilon. The quality of the chapter is quite high, as will be apparent when you see the numbers below.

I was planning on posting the report itself, but realized that the national fraternity might frown on someone posting an internal report. Instead, here are the highlights...

77 active members
21 new members
Total Chapter Size is 98 men
Ranked #1 in recruitment on campus

Chapter GPA is 3.3
Rockhurst Fraternity GPA is 3.19
Rockhurst Male GPA is 3.14

Community Service Hours performed was 1,700

Ranked #1 in intramurals
Won Intramural Championship

10 members on varsity sports teams
20 members on club sports teams
9 men attended Academy / International Convention
4 men attended Chapter Exectutives Conference
20 men attended Leadership Summit

Chapter Rating is Excellent (highest rating)

Chapter President:
Tim Opitz
opitzt@rockhurst.edu

Alumni Relations Chairman:
Dan James
jamesd@rockhurst.edu

Third Event Recap

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A small but dedicated group attended the Happy Hour at Weber's Front Row in Webster Groves last Friday. A great time was had by all in attendance. The small atmosphere gave us a chance to talk while having some drinks and food.

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It was great to catch up with Matt Asikainen, who has a three year old son and an iPhone. Too bad the kid was wearing a KU jersey in the picture. We all need to chip in to buy him sports apparel from a school that isn't so darn dislikable.

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I did not realize it, but a centrally-located bar is inconvenient for everyone but me. Matt Asikainen and wife travelled from way up in north county. Adam Muehl and wife voyaged in from somewhere in Illinois. Matt Ellis and his Cardinals hat made the trek from downtown St. Charles. I schlepped about a mile up the street.

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A discussion was had by the attendees and we decided to try bowling as an upcoming event. We will need to be sure to call ahead and make sure it is not league night. Anecdotally, Kyle Huelsing, Matt Allgeyer and I had a very difficult time recently trying to get a bowling lane one night. All we succeded in was getting me banished to the couch for the evening.

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We also thought that a casual late afternoon BBQ at someone's house would be a good idea. Kids would be welcome. The Allgeyer, Simpson and Huelsing children can play tackle football, and the Asikainen child can play if he wears any non-KU jersey. Meanwhile the adults can eat and drink.

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I will get a poll posted eventually about the date for the next event. As usual, please email me at stlpikes@gmail.com if you have any suggestions or questions, or if you want to be included on the mailing list on the right.

Third Event: Happy Hour!

Third Event: Happy Hour!

Friday, April 11th at 7pm (or so) at Weber's Front Row in Webster Groves. Webers is a fairly centrally-located goodtime foodrinkery, with many televisions and tasty vittles.

There is a Cardinals game that night in San Francisco, which will certainly be on the big screen. For those un-American non-baseball fans, darts are also available.

We had a high turnout and great time at the Blues game event (though things did not go well for the Blues after that game...). This event should be no different!

Please email me at stlpikes@gmail.com and let me know if you plan on attending. I will be there! Who else? Significant others are welcome...

Address for Google Maps: 8169 Big Bend Blvd, Webster Groves, MO 63119
Weber's Front Row Website: http://www.webersfrontrow.com/

Report: Founders' Day 2008

This excellent 2008 Founders' Day Report is courtesy of Josh Nast:

The weekend started with a good showing of Alumni, actives and girlfriends at Teocali. I think Br. [Enrique] Guiterrez can thank Eric Enright alone for making sure Teocali stays in business for the next several months, I can only imagine what his bar tab ended up being.

I was not in attendence for the trap shoot, but Cory [Atkins] told me about a handful of brothers showed up for this event and the people at the range would be more than happy to make that an annual event. Brothers were given lessons if need be, and 25 clay pigeons to shoot at.

Afterwards there were probably around 30-40 alumni and just as many actives at the football game. And from the first time in history the alums spanked the actives! The game was a little delayed due to a high school girls soccer game, so we had to stand around and watch them (oh damn!)

After a quick shower and change most everyone came back to Massman gallery for a Teocali catered dinner and had a chance pre-dinner to speak with Fr. Curran. The active attendance was pretty low, but apparently there was a pledge event that was at the same time. The pledges later showed up and helped clean plates away from the tables.

That night concluded with chapter president, Tim Opitz giving a state-of-the-chapter address. With the projected numbers KE will have 95 active members with this spring's rush!

For all those of age, the after party was moved to Charlie Hoopers where Kappa Epsilon and guests took over one corner of the bar.

I was able to briefly mention Stlpikes to Br. Opitz who said he will bring it up at the next chapter, and I made sure to personally tell every alum from St. Louis about the site.

PPKA,
Nast

NCAA Basketball Brackets!

While we await the report from Justin Coomes or someone who attended Founders' Day in Kansas City, feel free to visit the ESPN page below and enter a bracket in the NCAA (Men's) Basketball Tournament.

Few things are certain in these brackets: Each 16 seed will lose in the first round, at least one 12 seed will win over a 5 seed, and Kuperman will pick Arkansas as the national champion. Otherwise, it is wide open.

You may have gotten an email about this, just to make sure I am covering all my bases.

The league title is: Stlpikes
League password: rocku

To register:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Good luck to everyone, especially those who pick an early Kansas exit!

Founders' Day Weekend Schedule

[via Cory Atkins ('01): cla348@umkc.edu]

Kappa Epsilon,

Here is the last reminder you'll get from me about Founders Day- though I suspect Ferd, Tucker, or Andy will drop a note in your inbox sometime next week.

At the bottom of this message is the schedule for Founders Day, nothing has changed.

I have heard from about 15-20 guys about dinner, and it would be nice to get a more definite number (there are 300+ alumni). I spoke with chapter president Tim Opitz last week and the entire chapter, plus pledges, plus dates will be attending the dinner. This is going to be a great opportunity to meet the chapter. Fr. Curran will be there as well.

Last week I received an email from Aaron McDonald and you may or may not know him - but his email reminded me of how great it is to be a Pike and how much Pike has changed the course of my life - from small things as meeting for happy hour to things as big as networking for careers or help with family emergencies. We really are an elite group of men! Unfortunately as we get older and take on careers and families our time dwindles and we loose contact with some of these people. My point is that we all have people who have really influenced us through our connection with Pike. For me those people (to include a few) are: Andy Axsom, Mike Watts, and Kyle Huelsing. I will be contacting each of these people this week reminding them about Founders Day and just generally catching up with them - because for some its been way too long. I would encourage every one to do the same - call or email your big brother or the people who made a great impact on your Pike experience and reconnect with them (and remind them about Founders Day).

Founders Day is going to be great and to steal a line from Brother Matt Nickson - "It's a great time to be a Pike."

PPKA,
Cory

Founder's Day Weekend Schedule:
Friday, February 28, 2008:
Drinks at Teocali
8pm - ???
2512 Holmes

Saturday, March 1, 2008:
Trap Shoot at Powder Creek
9:30am-1pm
Meet at RU parking lot outside McGee @ 8:45am
RSVP is required

BBQ with the actives
2pm - 2:30pm
Outside the party barn on lower Burke

Alumni vs. Actives Annual Football Game
2:30pm- 4pm on lower Bourke

Dinner in the Massman Gallery catered by Teocali
7:30pm - ???
$15 per person - Bring a date
RSVP would be helpful for dinner

Contact Cory Atkins with questions:
cla348@umkc.edu
816-835-3553

Second Event Feedback

From Tom Schmidt:

First of all, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who attended last night's 5-1 thrashing of the Chicago Blackhawks by my St. Louis Blues. I think everyone that went had a great time, we a group of 11 that attended the game including 9 brothers, 1 wife, and 1 girlfriend.

I don't expect us to plan another Pike event, but I did want to invite everyone out to an additional game on Tuesday, March 4th. The Blues are hosting a "Young Professionals Night" with tickets discounted to 1/2 price and a pre-game Networking Party.

Please [check the Blues site for a] flyer and feel free to pass it along to any friends and relatives you think would fit the description of a young professional.

ppka,Tom Schmidt

From Craig Schoelch:

Guys,

I was looking on the Blues schedule and wanted to know if anyone would be down for seeing the last home game. It is at 1 o'clock on Saturday April 5th. This does not necessarily need to be an official event, just whoever wants to go.

Craig Schoelch
314-775-3776 (cell)

Second Event Recap

A great time was had by all at the Stlpikes Blues Game Event!

The Blues handed out a 5-1 beating to the Chicago Blackhawks in front of a sold out crowd. There was a fight 2 seconds (not an exaggeration) into the game, and a few more to follow. The Blues power play scored, the goaltending was excellent, we all got a free car decal, and overall it was well worth attending. Plus, Sodexho-quality tacos are available the day after the game from 11am-2pm in the Scottrade Center lobby, since the Blues scored 5 goals.

On hand were Dan Simpson, Matt Allgeyer, Kyle Huelsing, Matt Ellis, Craig Schoelch, Justin Coomes, Adam Muehl & wife, Josh Nast & female companion, and eventually Tom Schmidt. Tony Phillips unfortunately completely forgot about the event, and was actually in the building that night, but did not call until the game had ended and we had dispersed like ninjas.

Many thanks to Tom Schmidt, who works in the Blues sales office, for securing a block of tickets on his credit card for our benefit. Happily, he was able to join us halfway through the game.

Many thanks in advance to Justin Coomes, who will be the Stlpikes Founders Day representative in Kansas City in a few weeks. This job entails informing the alumni at the meeting of Stlpikes' existence and recruiting anyone else to sign up, especially St. Louis-based active members.

Be on the lookout soon for a poll about the next event. Thanks to all who attended!

Second Event: Part 3

We have ten people signed up for the hockey game! That's good enough for a discount!

If you are on the fence, thinking about attending, here is the list:
Dan Simpson
Matt Ellis
Craig Schoelch
Mike Kuperman
Josh Nast + guest
Matt Allgeyer + wife
Adam Muehl + wife

Tom Schmidt will be working the game and unable to join us in the stands, but I am sure he can upgrade our tickets to party suites or something comparable once the game starts.

Email stlpikes@gmail.com and thomasschmidt83@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

PS - Unrelated to this event, but as a follow-up to Chris Gilyon's post below, please try to cut a check to Backstoppers. Take a look as the site, and see who they help and how they help. It is truly remarkable what good they do in people's lives. If you are broke as a joke, like most of us, put at least some of that tax return to good use, instead of blowing it on beer and XBox games, like you do every other year.

Message from Chris Gilyon ('00)

Brothers,

I'm sure many of you have heard of the tragedy that took place in Kirkwood. As a member of the law enforcement community I was both shocked and horrified when called into work early (as my patrol sector in St. Louis County boarders Kirkwood) only to find out that two officers had been gunned down, executed. Though I was not on scene, many of my friends were and relayed the carnage of what they saw.

Since becoming a Police Officer in 2003 I have been to far too many funerals, worn a mourning band over my badge far too many times, and have had far too many conversations with fellow officers and citizens as to why. The funerals are a sight to behold for sure from an outsiders perspective. From an insiders view, I cannot help but shed tears every time I have to, as I will this Tuesday, stand at attention and sheppard my fellow lawman into the Grace of God.

I am not a fundraiser. And, as many of you know I'm off the grid most of the time and have not had much contact with many of you since leaving college. That was not by choice but by the nature of what I do.

So, what is my purpose in this writing? I know that our philanthropy is Big Brothers/Big Sisters. However, I would encourge the leadership of the Alumni Association to consider granting Backstoppers a secondary status if nothing else. For those of you unfamiliar Backstoppers it is an organization that provides financial, along with other (counseling, etc) to help the family through these terrible times. Like I said, I'm no fundraiser and am in no way affiliated with the organization. However, I know the work they do and it's the shining light for us that wear the blue.

I ask that you keep the fallen in your thoughts and prayers. And to, perhaps, say a prayer for those of us who will carry on in their memory.

As a side note: Dan, I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet. I just wanted to Thank You from the bottom of my heart for checking up on me that night. It meant more than you could possibly imagine.

In the bonds,
phi phi
Chris Gilyon (MU)
PO Chris Gilyon, DSN
3487Affton/Southwest Precinct
St. Louis County Police Department
314-638-5550
cgilyon@stlouisco.com

Second Event: Part 2

The voters have spoken! Despite 02/17/08 making a late push in the poll, the Second Event for the Stl Pikes Alumni will be a Blues game on Tuesday, February 19th!

The games, as you know, as played at Scottrade Center, in downtown St. Louis, at the intersection of 14th and Clark streets.

Please R.S.V.P. to both stlpikes@gmail.com and thomasschmidt83@yahoo.com. Significant others are highly encouraged to attend, as ten attendees creates a discount, through Tom Schmidt, who works for the Blues.

This should be a great time, and I hope many of you can make it.

Tuesday games are (I believe) free food games? Tom, please confirm!

Craig Schoelch ('99) Update

I recently got a new job at Epsilon, they are a direct mail company located in Earth City. I work in account services as an account coordinator. I deal with clients such as Target with their direct mail needs.

My cell # is 314-775-3776.

Second Event: Poll Correction!

The poll indicates that the games on Feb. 1st and 2nd, respectively, are Saturday and Sunday. Those are Friday and Saturday. More than one person has pointed that out...

Thanks!

Second Event: Part 1 (Blues Game)

The winner of the Second Event is attending a Blues game at the Scottrade Center in beautiful downtown St. Louis.

I anticipate that several people will be turned off, as non-Blues/hockey fans, or people who don't feel like driving downtown or paying to attend a sporting event. Those of you who do like going to Blues games are encouraged to bring a significant other. Apparently a party of ten or more will enable a group discount. Perhaps even a beer-filled party room is an option, though I really have no idea what is available as I type this.

What I do know is that things are moving along nicely for STL Pikes, and rumors of viewers in the KC, MO area being a little envious are making their way into my inbox.

Please vote on the poll. When would you like to get to a Blues game? Please check the Blues website for promotions. Tuesday evenings are 1/2 off tickets.

As usual, email RSVPs to stlpikes@gmail.com and pass this site on to other St. Louis-area Pikes.