The Founding of Sigma Tau Psi Below is the letter sent by one of the Founding Brothers Bruce Jordan '66 regarding the founding of Sigma Tau Psi. Here are a couple of "perceptions" of the earliest days of Sig Tau. It was always my belief that the brainchild of the organization was Tom DeBello. When I was approached to be a founder it was by Tom and Jack Sheehan and if memory serves me right Jim Vidocy. Dahn Walrath was an early "sign on". We'd have to have clandestine meetings and sometimes literally carry Bibles while pretending to be a Bible study group. Tom DeBello had been my orientation "big brother" from Lindenhurst, Long Island (I lived came from Amityville.) Jack and I weren't yet the lifelong friends that we have become but we knew each other the Jones B lounge, as we both dated girls who lived there. I was very active in the theatre department and I think I was president of Cothurnus, the theatre organization. Jack was interested in theatre and backstage things. Tom DeBello, Jim Vidocy, and Jack Sheehan lived in Huber House, a private residence on Court Street. I lived in what was then Sturges Hall. Dahn, Jack, and I became best of friends. We still miss Dahnny, who was electrocuted in a tragic accident. Other "originals" included (in no order of when they were approached) Ralph Harris, Walt Peek, Bill Ryan, Ray "Spike" Leonard. Also I believe that Jack Piedmonte, Jack Morrell, and LeRoy Clinton were part of the founding group. They may have been very early additions. The amazing thing is how quickly we all jelled as "Brothers". We were a very diverse group and looked to recruit people that were not only diverse but who were exceptional in their fields of influence or expertise. Probably because we had this "secret mission" we truly became close. And in addition to a talented, diverse group we knew how to party. Don't forget that the drinking age was 18 back then so all the things that you're doing today with phony proofs of identification we did without a care. Sigma Tau Psi was chosen as a name to create a bonding with the Sig Taus at Buffalo State. In fact a couple of Buffalo Sig Tau's helped us with our original charter. They were friends of Jack Sheehan. At the time, there were also Sig Taus in Oswego, Oneonta, and Potsdam. We made road trips to each of those locations in the first year of our existence. Those trips are still legend. Two things stand out in the autumn of 1963. One thing is that the weather was spectacular for much of the time. We had a real "indian summer" and the outdoor parties, gulley parties, and kegs were fun-filled, heady times. It was a truly beautiful autumn. The other thing that stands out of course is that on that Friday, November 22nd when the campus first saw those blue and white jackets worn by the Sig Taus on our "Coming Out" day, the campus was shocked by the news of the assignation of President John F. Kennedy. What was to have been a weekend of celebration turned into a weekend of mourning, with everyone glued to their television as the events unfolded. By Monday, the college was closed down and most people left early for Thanksgiving vacation. Sig Tau was a fabulous experience for me. Jack Sheehan and I created and hosted the Sig Tau Jenny Awards which was a huge draw in the early days and was usually held immediately after the Sig Tau Regatta. Jack, Tom DeBello, and I initiated "The Ziegtau Follies" which was live entertainment by the brothers in sort of a burlesque show. It was lots of fun and everyone had to be onstage. DeBello was a stand out as torch singer Torchie La Phlegm. Spike headed an acrobatic team called The Flying Phartz. Chuck Curatalo and I cross dressed for "Anything Goes" etc. etc. etc. Jack Piedmonte was "Beale Street Mama". Jack was master of Ceremonies. Click here for the picture of him greeting The Flying Phartz and Torchie La Phlegm outside of the old Riviera movie house where the spoof took place. Our earliest honorary Sig Taus included Bill and Cynthia Selden (the first woman to be the honorary of a fraternity on campus). Bill and Cynthia had great parties out in their farm in Piffard across from the Retsoff mines. This was before they moved to the historic family home of Bill's ancestors, Elm Place in Avon. We had rush parties at the Seldens and they frequently provided us with food and drink. They were the couple who went on to found Geva, the legit theatre in Rochester, where I was in the founding company. Our favorite haunt as a group was the Big Tree, which was much more of a bar back in the 60's; a really great bar that all of the locals went to, some college kids, but ALL of the Sig Taus. The Big Tree was open ‘til 1 on weekdays and 2 on the weekends. We went to kegs every Saturday at the M&B, now "The Statesman", and went to the hotel on occasion, but that was slumming for us. The Vital Spot and Frank Avery's place were not in existence yet. Sometimes after late night "Bible meetings" we would head to Dot's Diner (aka "Snots") which was located on Main Street for cheeseburgers and fries with gravy. Best,
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