book of records - Kansas State University

Book of Records 7.27
10. YEARS OF ACTIVITIES AND HONORS LEAD TO THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
(1960-1968)
During the 1960s, the chapter and its members were involved in many activities and received numerous honors.
Two men who contributed greatly to the total were Al Gentry and Bruce Heckman. Both brothers, in addition to their
honors and activities, demonstrated outstanding scholarship and good leadership traits. Both were honored as the
Province XVIII Thomas Arkle Clark Award winner, Gentry in 1967 and Heckman in 1968. Brother Gentry was also
among the top honorees in the National contest. A few of the qualifications of Brother Gentry were Student Senator,
Union Governing Board, Union Program Council, member of the President=s Commission, Chairman of Homecoming
activities, Blue Key, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, top senior men=s GPA of 3.9+, Putnam and
National Merit Scholar and served the chapter in various offices including Treasurer. Brother Heckman was Chairman
of Union Governing Board and president of a student political party. He was a member of Architecture and Design
Council, the Traffic Control Board, the President=s Cabinet, Blue Key and was runner-up in the Favorite Man on
Campus contest and served the chapter in various offices including President for one semester.
The chapter had many fine scholars during this period. Those that graduated with close to a 4.000 average
included Lewis Watson, Kent Crawford, Mark Dreiling, Alan Smith, Al Gentry, Jim Gentry and Bob Overman. The
chapter maintained its tradition of good scholarship. The highlights were finishing fifth among fraternities in 1965-66
and fifth and sixth during the semesters of 1968. The chapter also received from ΑΤΩ a High Council Scholarship
Improvement Award for the performance in 1965-66.
The chapter continued its fine showing in Y-Orpheum, being selected as a finalist in 1961-64 and was also a
finalist in 1965, when the skit competition name was change to Harelquinade.
A first place trophy for Homecoming house decorations was received by the chapter in 1962. The chapter also
won a first place for their Homecoming float in 1964. The joy of that weekend was somewhat dampened when vandals
set fire to the float Homecoming night with the fire coming dangerously close to the Chapter House. The chapter took
fourth place in the 1966 competition.
The Chariot Relays were entered by ΑΤΩ almost every year. The best showings were a fourth place finish in
1960 and a second place in 1968.
ΑΤΩ, in conjunction with Chi Omega, won the Beauty and the Beast Contest in 1969. The contest was to raise
money for worthy causes at K-State and a vote for a contestant cost a penny.
The chapter itself initiated many worthwhile projects. In the spring of 1962, it located school books which were
packed and sent to Brother Ron Joy, who was doing work for the Peace Corps in the Philippines. Among some of the
other projects were Christmas and Easter parties for underprivileged children and those in hospitals.
The fine tradition established in intramurals was maintained by the Taus during the 1960s. The chapter=s best
finishes in the All-Sports standings were third place in 1963-64 and fourth place in 1965-66. ΑΤΩ teams won many
division championships and numerous individual titles were won.
During the early part of the decade, ΑΤΩ had several of K-State=s outstanding wrestlers. Dee Gard competed
in the NCAA championships. Walter Couch and John Fettes also were top wrestler. Wade Johnson was the top pitcher
on the K-State baseball team during the middle part 1960's, having one of the lowest earned run averages in the Big 8
Conference. Bob Randall was one of the top infielders in the Conference and eventually signed with the Minnesota
Twins. Alan Smith, a top scholar, also found time to lead the Wildcat tennis team as its #1 player. Paul Hanney, playing
monster man, helped to lead the K-State football program=s resurgence in the late 1960s. ΑΤΩs served as head football
coach during the entire decade: Doug Weaver (Michigan State) coached the team from 1960-66. Vince Gibson (Florida
State) took the job in 1967 and brought K-State from the Big 8 cellar to a top contender, assisted by Don Powell, another
Florida State ΑΤΩ, who became the top assistant and offensive coach.