Archive for January, 2008

1st Black Head Football Coach – U. of Richmond

Today’s segment comes to us from Bro. Artel Smith by way of Bro. Stan Jones.

New Head Football Coach at the University of Richmond is a Man of Sigma

Brothers:
Mike London is a member of the Spring 1980 Charter Line of the Mu Omicron Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity , Inc. at the University of Richmond. Mike was my teammate at UR, I’ve known Mike since our days in Junior High School days in Hampton, Virginia. Although the article mentions Mike as the first black coach of a major sport at UR, I also believe he is the first black head football coach of a predominately white University in the state of Virginia. An incredible accomplishment. He will need a support as he makes the transition from UVA to UR.

Peace, Power, and Presence
Take care
Stan

Photo of Bro. London by [AP PHOTO / WILLIS GLASSGOW]

Today in Sigma History – January 31, 2008 – Bro. Mike London – The first black head coach of a major sport at the University of Richmond

Russell S. Gideon

Today’s post comes with an important lesson (I hope). I have a brother who HOLDS me to the fire regarding some of my Posts. I respect the fact that he does. Anytime you are posting history or citing history, you have to be able PROVE your FACT. He said to me frat “how do you know this brother is frat, I do not see his name on the Famous Sigma List”? Those of you who know me well, know my response to that, but here is the lesson, there are a number of FAMOUS SIGMA’s who unfortunately do not appear on the list. Here is one of them. He was noted in our 1957 History Book as the brother who organized the first Sigma Chapter in the Pacific Northwest, Beta Omicron in Seattle, Washington. Read the Bio from HistoryLink.org about our SIGMA BROTHER, RUSSELL SYDNEY GIDEON. I think he should be on the Famous Sigma List myself, what about you?

Today in Sigma History-January 30, 2008 – Bro. Russell S. Gideon – Chartered the first Sigma Chapter in the Pacific NW

Happy Birthday Founder A. Langston Taylor

One of the Greatest Names in Sigma, Most Honorable Founder A. Langston Taylor – January 29, 1890 – August 8, 1953

Happy Birthday to our Founder. Both Founder Morse (January 12th) and Founder Taylor (January 29th) were born in January, as was our Great Fraternity. Over the past few years while doing research on our history, I found out some little known facts about Founder Taylor. Here are a few as told to me by Brother Francis L. Hall, who knew Founder Taylor personally:

1. The Brothers of Alpha Sigma and Alpha Chapter called Founder Taylor “PROF” short for Professor, they
2. said he was always carrying books, papers, folders, brief cases, and that he always read.
3. Founder Taylor was very humble and did not like the lime light. He was an advocate for younger brothers
4. taking an active role in leading the fraternity.
5. He pushed very hard before his death to get the fraternity a National home location.
6. His long-time lady was a Zeta by the name of Geneva Sayles. They attended many social and civic functions together. I was told that Soror Sayles passed away in 1998. (I wish that I could have met her!)
7. He was a pack-rat, he kept everything, and could tell you where everything was located.
8. Although, I do not know what his job was, Bro. Hall told me that Founder Taylor worked at and retired from the Smithsonian Institute.

In 2003-04, I had the opportunity to speak with a distant relative of Founder Taylor who told me that the Taylor Family home in Memphis, Tennessee was at 1907 S. Walk Street. I do not know Memphis, but I understand that S. Walk Street is no longer there, it is now Walker Street, and its near Lemoyne-Owen College.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOUNDER TAYLOR – CONTINUE TO GUIDE US UNDER YOUR SIGMA LIGHT -

Today in Sigma History – January 29, 2008 – THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR MOST HONORABLE FOUNDER.

ps. Many of you have seen these pictures before, but if not, they are RARE. It’s one of the few pictures you will see where our Founder’s were together.

Bro. James Forman – Civil Rights Giant

Fresh off of my trip to New Orleans. It was cold and rainy, but I had some luck at Harrah’s. I even stayed at the Conclave 2009 Hotel (Sheraton). Nice hotel, but that Marriott across the street and the new Harrah’s hotel, the bomb. I went to the 9th Ward, I damn near cried, 2.5 years later and all that is gone is the water. The devastation is still there.

Today, the papers and artifacts of Bro. James Forman, a 70,000 piece collection, have been donated to the Library of Congress. The dedication ceremony will take place this morning (1/28/08).

So, the next time you visit the Library of Congress in DC, make sure you stop by and check out the Forman Collection.

70,000 piece collection – that amazes me to no end, where did his family keep his artifacts?

This was taken from Saturday’s edition of the Washington Post Newspaper (1/26/08).

Today in Sigma History – January 28, 2008 – Bro. James Forman Collection donated to the United States Library of Congress

Sigma Social Network

last week i came across this company ning.com which lets you create your own social network so i decided to take it for a spin by creating one for Sigmas.

check it out at http://phibetasigma.ning.com