The 5:01 News

Spring 2004 - Issue # 1

Not for a day, or an hour, or a college term only … but for life.

Hey, what time is it? 5:01 PM? On Friday afternoon at the end of Rush week? Do I hear some "Blues" playing?

To all of those who hold the Mu Tau Chapter of Kappa Sigma at Austin Peay State University near and dear to your hearts, welcome to the first edition of "The 5:01 News," our new quarterly newsletter for alumni of our beloved chapter. So, grab a beverage or three, lay claim to your favorite spot on the chapter house fence, and make plans to stick around for a little while.

We hope you'll enjoy and will be informed and entertained by our fledgling newsletter. Please contact the editors at wacuff@edge.net and/or ryanmoore@comcast.net if you have news or other material submissions, upcoming events/calendar updates, digital photos, or suggestions and/or comments. We don't promise that we'll be able to use everything you'll send in, but we'll do our best.

Bill (Roy) Acuff

Note: Mu Tau began a tradition in the early-to-mid 1990s that will be observed in our newsletters. A brother's name, when initially mentioned, will be followed by his initiation number/initiation year. Names of brothers initiated by another chapter will be, when possible, handled similarly, or at least followed by as much information as we have.

House Update - Chapter Improvements Committee

There has been a lot going on over the past year and a half concerning Mu Tau and the need to vastly improve the chapter housing. A group of alums have spent the past year working on different scenarios and asking for funds to help make it a reality. We have contacted many that have been gracious enough to participate by pledging a yearly amount over the next five years and sending in their first year commitment. The committee has worked very long and hard looking at all different levels of cost and what we can do at each level. We are very proud to have a great plan in place to make the current facility at 322 Home Ave a new structure from the inside out.

Because of building codes we cannot tear down and rebuild on the current lot, and we cannot add on to the house outside our roofline. So we are keeping the outer shell of the existing house, gutting the interior, and creating a brand new house within our existing framework.

Several brothers looked into multiple options to purchase land that is close to the University to build a new house on. The only empty lots that are close to campus would not meet our needs to build a house that is sufficient, again because of codes and restrictions.

There were a couple of other properties with existing structures on them, which were looked at seriously. One is about a block away from campus, the former Masonic Lodge. It has all the facilities we would want and more for $400,000. It would take an additional $250,000 to get the structure up to code and habitable.

The other place was about 4 blocks away from campus on Madison Street for $300,000. It’s beautiful and could really be great place, after we added bathrooms and a meeting facility, again spending at least an additional $100,000.

With the support level we have gathered over the past year, we could not afford either one of these options. The best option is to make our current structure the best it can be.

We are going to strip all the interior plaster walls and ceilings, and install new insulation and drywall. All electrical wiring and plumbing will be removed and replaced. All windows and doors will be removed and there will be new, attractive, and energy efficient replacements installed.

The upper floor will be walled off at the top of the stairway and a door installed for a private entrance into a living suite, where the only two residents of the house will live. The upstairs bathroom will be ripped out and a new one will be installed to the rear of where the current GM room is. There will also be closets constructed for the two residents in this area.

There will be a private study area and a "control center" for the sound system that will be built in the walls throughout the house. The larger upstairs bedroom will have its closet removed and partitioned for the two residents to sleep in.

The main floor will have most walls removed, allowing open navigation all around the main floor with the staircase and fireplace being the centerpiece. All new hardwood flooring on the main floor and Greek style columns will be installed, where necessary, for support. The current bathroom will become open floor space with all walls around it removed. There will be a men’s restroom installed where the back porch currently is; this will have a large sink, two urinals, and a handicap accessible toilet. The right side bedroom will become a women’s restroom with three toilets and a nice vanity sink. There will be a long serving bar, microwave, refrigerator, icemaker, sink and storage for social functions placed along the rear wall of the left side bedroom and into the original kitchen or current study room. There will be a monster deck built onto the rear of the house at this level.

The basement will have the wall to the "bat cave" removed, which will add twelve feet of width to this side of the basement. Enclosing underneath our current back porch, which will become a men’s restroom, will provide a sufficient chapter room for 55-65 men. The other side of the basement will become a study/computer room wired with high-speed Internet access.

The bar area will be enclosed for use as a ritual closet/GM office. We will concrete the driveway and build a gravel parking area to the rear of our lot, enough for 10-15 cars. We will finish this off by landscaping the exterior to make our house the pride of Austin Peay.

A lot of hard work from many alums have gone into getting us to this point. Thanks to the building committee of John Crabbe (#113 - 1992), Rodney Davidson (#37 - 1987), Tommy Williams (#30 - 1986), Brandt Scott (#43 - 1987), Curtis Wheeler (#60 - 1988), Brian Trotter (#87 - 1990) and Justin Thepthongsay (#142 - 1995) for working on the details of this plan.

Jerry Clark (UT Kappa Sig and architect) is currently working with Brian Trotter (Mu Tau Kappa Sig and Civil Engineer) to have the architectural designs up and on our website soon. We need everyone’s support by donating dollars so we can begin renovation upon graduation day, and have it completed by the beginning of fall term in August.

This project will run in the $100,000-$150,000 range depending on what kind of financial influx we get from our alums over the next month. The $100,000 version is guaranteed, we would like to be able to add the amenities and detail with the $150,000 version. Please respond today with a donation of any amount, and pledge the same amount over the next five years. We need you NOW! - AEKDB

Go back to the table of contents

• New legacy update!!! Jackson Semion (family name) Trotter was born on January 3, 2004, weighing in at 7 pounds 5 ounces, and 20 1/2 inches long. Brian says that both wife (Pam) and son are doing fine. Congrats, Brian!
• Jeff "Duro" Bowling (#46 - 1987) will be getting married on April 24. Congrats, Duro!

Go back to the table of contents  

Notes from Mu Tau’s CIC Chairman - Kevin Hackney

Most of you have heard about the Capital Improvement Campaign, better known as the CIC, formed in November 2002. As a refresher, the CIC is an ad hoc committee to the Kappa Sigma Mu Tau Housing Corporation, and reports to the Board of Directors.

The CIC itself consists of three committees: Finance, Marketing and Communication, and Property Management and Facilities, all comprised of Mu Tau alumni and friends.

The CIC is a comprehensive approach to improve the Mu Tau’s housing and fiscal needs while addressing future recruitment and rush goals. Several components of the project have reached milestones, such as:

• Pledges of $150,000 from over 50 Mu Tau alumni and friends through direct mail, telerecruiting, and ‘on the road presentations’ in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Clarksville;
• Updated website set to launch in Spring 2004;
• Addition of a new District grand master and Alumnus advisor;
• Higher presence at the University through print ads in the All State and face to face meeting with the Austin Peay’s president;
• Launching this publication, The 5:01 News;
• Compiling an up-to-date alumni and undergraduate database;
• Established an annual alumni breakfast, golfing, and cookout.

However, the most important accomplishment had been bridging the gap among the alumni, undergraduates, and advisors to move this project forward.

Please take an opportunity to honor your commitment as we begin the second year of the CIC giving program. It is not too late for those who have not had an opportunity to donate your time or financial resources. Let’s continue the almost 20 years of Kappa Sigma Mu Tau history in scholarship, leadership, ritual, and community service at Austin Peay State University.

All correspondence can be sent to: Mu Tau Kappa Sigma Capital Improvement Campaign, PO Box 292485, Nashville, TN, 37229-2485, or call 615-292-2854.

"Let's Go Peay!" For anyone who hasn't been paying attention, both Austin Peay's Men's AND Women's basketball teams have had incredibly successful seasons in 2003 - 2004.

Governors: during the regular season the Men's team went 21-8 -- including an incredible undefeated 16-0 record in the OVC -- and just this past week made a great run at winning the OVC tournament. Unfortunately APSU fell to Murray State (a team the Govs had beaten 63-56 on February 14 in Clarksville) in the OVC Championship game by a score of 66-60. Our hearts go out to the team, coaches, and families but we have nothing but earnest congratulations to the Men's team for a great, memorable season and we're really looking forward to next year!

Lady Govs: during the regular season the Lady Govs went 22-7 (14-2 conference) and WON THE OVC CHAMPIONSHIP on Saturday, March 6, by defeating Eastern Kentucky 65-51. CONGRATS to the Lady Govs for their Awesome Peay victory!

Go back to the table of contents

This Issue: Kent "Spuds" McKenzie

The fall of 1986 was an exciting time for Cincinnati native Ryan Kent McKenzie. He'd just arrived at Austin Peay State University on a basketball scholarship to play for Coach Lake Kelly. During APSU's halcyon James "Fly" Williams days of 1972-73, with Kelly at the helm, APSU had earned a reputation for winning -- so expectations were quite high when APSU sought him out again to lead the Governors in March of 1985. Playing for the team when Kent arrived was Senior point guard Pat Day (#27 - 1986), who had, the year before, joined the new fraternity on campus: Kappa Sigma.

Kent said, "Pat Day actually showed me around on my recruiting visit and took me to a Kappa Sig Party while I was still in High School. I must have been impressed."

In the Spring of 1987, Kent was "rushed," as all great new prospects are, by every Greek he met. In fact, I seem to remember one of the other frats doing some laundry for him at some point?

At any rate, when Kent finally made his choice, we'd all agree that he made the wisest one: Kyle Ruf and Kent became pledge brothers and they were both initiated into Mu Tau on October 16, 1987.

Kent served as Grand Master of Ceremonies for Mu Tau during the 1988-89 school year and obtained GMC Ritual Proficiency on April 15, 1989.

Four members of Mu Tau's Executive Committee attended Leadership Conference in Champaign, Illinois in the summer of 1988. From left to right in the picture below, Thomas Locke - (Phi Chapter #855 - 1985; GT), Kent (GMC), Kel Topping (#33 - 1987; GM), and Bill Acuff (GS).

Kent's fondest non-fraternity memory from APSU, hands down, is one with which many of us would agree: the 1986-87 basketball season, where APSU won the OVC tournament and went on to shock the nation with a victory over #12-ranked Illinois in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Birmingham.

Being a part of that, and seeing what it did for the community and the school, is truly a memory of a lifetime for Kent.

When asked the same question but for fraternity-related memories, Kent cherishes many times: on the night prior to taking his ritual proficiency test he dueled Jeff "Duro" Bowling in a Crown Royal drink-off. Kent says he lost.

Not too many of us would have taken that bet, Kent. <grin>

The Champaign Leadership Conference trip; playing in an intramural basketball tournament for Mu Tau; many of the parties and overnight functions that we did; all of these are fond memories for Kent.

After graduating from APSU in 1990 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree Kent went to work for Jostens in Alabama for about a year, and then returned to Cincinnati to work in a bank's Mortgage Loan department.

A year later Kent was hired by Republic Mortgage Insurance Company and moved to Louisville; he's been working for RMIC ever since. Currently a Senior Account Manager for the Central Zone, Kent sells Private Mortgage Insurance for RMIC and is very happy with his job and with his company.

Kent was engaged in 1993 and married in 1994 to Jennifer Augustin, another native of Cincinnati. Upon getting married they bought a house in Louisville and lived there until Kent was transferred to Columbus, Ohio in 1995.

Kent and Jennifer's daughter, Megan, was born on December 23, 1997 -- and their son, Mitchell, was born on April 24, 2000. In June 2000 the family of four moved to Detroit and there they remain (427 Sandalwood Road, Canton, MI, 48188; 734-394-2706; kent_mckenzie@rmic.com).

Kent is still very much involved with APSU; he is part of the Alumni Association and talks to them on a regular basis; he's committed to the CIC program, the Mu Tau Alumni and Chapter.

He tries to get down to Clarksville almost every year for Homecoming; it's tough, Kent says, to make Ron Leath's (#2 - 1985) golf outings because of the time of year.

Kent still plays basketball competitively and helps current APSU Head Basketball Coach Dave Loos with scouting in Michigan; Coach Loos came to Detroit January 2004 to scout three junior-college players. Kent's deep into golf and boating, and his family goes to Kentucky just about every other weekend to their houseboat on Lake Cumberland.

When asked if there is anything he'd like to say to the Mu Tau alumni, Kent replied, "Keep in touch. Don't fade away. Don't think people don't talk about you, or that people don't think about you. We're always interested in what you're doing. Don't ever forget that. People are excited when they hear from you. So don't hide. Stay involved."

I don't think any of us could have said it any better than that.

Go back to the table of contents

Kent, Megan, Mitchell, and Jennifer ... is this a good-looking family or what?

• April 5 - 9: Kappa Sigma South Sea Islands Week
• June 12: Mu Tau Alumni 2nd Annual Gathering in Clarksville

This year’s alumni gathering will be June 12th in Clarksville. The day will start at Ron and Mary Anne Leath’s house with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. (I am already looking forward to Mary-Anne’s cooking and Ron’s "breakfast drinks"). Golf will follow, with tee times beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Eastland Green Golf course. To give fair warning, if you are on Billy "Horse" Duvall’s (#19 - 1986) team, bring your shin pads, there is no telling when he will launch a ball off the green after a missed putt. For the non-golfers, Doc Allen (Kappa - 1972) and his sister are hosting a festive afternoon with a pool party. There will also be volleyball for the more active minded, laying around the pool for the less active minded, and possibly a few other activities that Doc has in store for us.

Doc is going to have a massive cookout at his farm that evening and we will once again have a top of the line eating facility in his recently constructed "Garaj Mahal." I’ve tried duplicating his chop recipe from last year but just haven’t found it yet. If you missed this event last year, it was a huge time and will be even bigger this year. We’ve added activities for the non-golfers, and there will be an added event after the cookout: a No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker tournament. Yes, this is what you’ve been seeing on ESPN and other channels lately. There will be a $50 buy in, and we will play as many tables as needed depending on the number of participants. Everyone will get $100 in chips and each table will play down to the number of players that it will take to have a final "championship table" of eight players. The champion will win $150 and the rest of the pot will go to the CIC to help with the house project. The champion will also win a trophy and be declared the "Mu Tau Kappa Sigma Poker Champion" for the next year. I can really see this turning into an annual event for bragging rights to see who is the best poker player between all Mu Tau Kappa Sigs and friends. Is there a Chris Moneymaker out there? (The current National Champion from Nashville).

More details will be sent to you in the coming months but plan to spend the weekend in Clarksville. Last year was truly a great time. It is a great chance to see and catch up with brothers from our own era, as well as meet and get to know brothers from other eras. I hope to see everyone there.

Kel Topping