Trophy given to best fraternity is restored
John Tomlin
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The Brown Cup, a five foot tall trophy awarded to the best fraternity each year, has been restored and repaired by senior Drew Moyer. The cup, which is now held by Delta Kappa Epsilon, had previously been broken and dirty. In addition, the plaque that bears the inscriptions of each year's winner had not been updated since 1989. It was taken to Lee's Trophies in Schenectady for repair.
"It had been neglected for so long, and people started to take notice of it," commented Moyer. "It's a real symbol of the Greek system here, and we want to preserve it."
Drew received monetary support from President Underwood and the administration to preserve the traditional Union relic. He was able to raise $2,000 for the project.
The Brown Cup is given each year to commemorate Stephen P. Brown, a Union student who was killed in a train crash in 1950. It is given to the fraternity with the best academic standing, intramural record, community service, and participation in Greek Week. It is presented during the Homecoming football game in the fall, so it is too early to tell which fraternity will win it this year.
Benjamin Patrick Brown, a brother of Sigma Phi and a representative on the InterFraternal Council, commented on the restoration effort. "It is good for Greek life because it symbolizes the strength that we have." Brown explained that the IFC believes the restoration of the trophy shows that Union's fraternities are coming into a "new phase of existence."
Plans to display the Brown Cup in a case near the elevator in the Reamer Campus Center are now being considered. The college hopes to build the case by alumni weekend to show off the newly restored symbol of Union's Greek Life. However, Matt Milless, Union's Director of Student Activities, seems to believe that the case may not be completed by then.
"It's too early to tell right now. It all depends on facilities," said Milless. "Hopefully it can be completed by alumni weekend."
Milless explained that it is important to display the trophy because of it's significance to Union's history.
"It [would be] a great way to preserve the rich tradition of fraternity life at Union," said Milless.
Many Greek organizations on campus have felt financially strangled by the Minerva House system. The administration has emphasized that the House system is the future of Union College, and many Greeks have suffered as a result of that policy. Underwood's support of the Brown Cup restoration effort was a rare case of financial support of Greek organizations.
"It had been neglected for so long, and people started to take notice of it," commented Moyer. "It's a real symbol of the Greek system here, and we want to preserve it."
Drew received monetary support from President Underwood and the administration to preserve the traditional Union relic. He was able to raise $2,000 for the project.
The Brown Cup is given each year to commemorate Stephen P. Brown, a Union student who was killed in a train crash in 1950. It is given to the fraternity with the best academic standing, intramural record, community service, and participation in Greek Week. It is presented during the Homecoming football game in the fall, so it is too early to tell which fraternity will win it this year.
Benjamin Patrick Brown, a brother of Sigma Phi and a representative on the InterFraternal Council, commented on the restoration effort. "It is good for Greek life because it symbolizes the strength that we have." Brown explained that the IFC believes the restoration of the trophy shows that Union's fraternities are coming into a "new phase of existence."
Plans to display the Brown Cup in a case near the elevator in the Reamer Campus Center are now being considered. The college hopes to build the case by alumni weekend to show off the newly restored symbol of Union's Greek Life. However, Matt Milless, Union's Director of Student Activities, seems to believe that the case may not be completed by then.
"It's too early to tell right now. It all depends on facilities," said Milless. "Hopefully it can be completed by alumni weekend."
Milless explained that it is important to display the trophy because of it's significance to Union's history.
"It [would be] a great way to preserve the rich tradition of fraternity life at Union," said Milless.
Many Greek organizations on campus have felt financially strangled by the Minerva House system. The administration has emphasized that the House system is the future of Union College, and many Greeks have suffered as a result of that policy. Underwood's support of the Brown Cup restoration effort was a rare case of financial support of Greek organizations.
Be the first to comment on this story