UCLA Club Baseball: Jake Supowit, Rob Mack, Matt Quigley, Dan Kleinkopf, & Blayne Kercher
As the school year begins to draw to a close at UCLA, we recognize yet another successful year at the Upsilon chapter. Our brothers have made great strides in all aspects of the brotherhood. Our chapter standing with university is at an all-time high even as numerous fraternities are being reprimanded by Greek relations. We installed our first faculty advisor, Keith Fink, who is a lecturer in the Communications Studies Dept., and a notable attorney in the field. We welcomed Mr. Fink into the brotherhood with a formal dinner followed by a post-meeting discussion about law school for interested brothers. He also encouraged students to explore beneficial international business opportunities, including China where he does work.
The chapter gives back to the community in a tremendous way. Philanthropy chair, Michael Spiker, organized and executed yet another successful ACE project (“Altruistic Campus Experience”). The philanthropy was a half-marathon in San Pedro where 25 brothers, sorority ladies, and friends finished the race and raised $3,600 for the UCLA Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center.
Our brotherhood this year lost a strong group of seniors to graduation. This Class of 2009 left its mark on Sigma Pi in a resounding fashion, and are already transforming themselves into successful alumni. Sam Cortina, formal social chair, will teach English abroad in the Marshall Islands before returning home to attend law school. Dave Lusby, former sage, will attend UCLA Law School. Philippe Gerretsen, who graduates with a 4.0 in mechanical engineering, will be attending USC graduate school in the fall for more engineering under a fellowship scholarship.
Our chapter continues to positively progress socially. All of our open parties, with one each quarter, were a tremendous success. We continue to have exchanges with all the top sororities and have been fortunate with a large graduating class to enjoy an array of pinnings from various sororities. On campus, we also continue to participate in almost every intramural activity. We competed in numerous playoff games, came within inches of the volleyball championship, and were able to lay claim to the inaugural wheelchair basketball title.
Upsilon completed yet another productive and fruitful year. Thanks to all our brothers and alumni, Sigma Pi at UCLA is a thriving component to the national organization. We shall continue success in the coming years as the chapter prepares for a new decade of fraternal achievement. – Kevin Monte, 1st Counselor.
Faculty Advisor: Keith Fink
Faculty advisor: Keith Fink, a Los Angeles attorney, served during the 2009 school year as the chapter’s first Faculty Advisor. He graduated UCLA in 1985 and was a member of the successful debate team. He earned a J.D. from Southwestern in 1989.
Fink is a lecturer and has designed the curriculum for classes in the UCLA Communication Studies Dept. on free speech in the workplace and on campus, and he is popular with Greeks, including Upilson students. He also is an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School.
Fink has taken controversial cases, including the sexual harassment case against American Apparel’s president.
1. Upsilon Alumni Association: The general fund that collects annual dues, donations for the Bill Meyer and Julien D’Avanzo scholarships for active brothers, communications (website, mailings, Founders Day invitations), and events. Not tax-deductible. Annual dues: $35-100. Issue checks to “Upsilon Alumni Association”http://SigmaPiBruins.com/subscription.htm. Mail to: Scott Scheffler, Treasurer, 16 Fleet St., Apt. #9, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 – . Online payment information is no longer current. * UAA can accommodate “Memorial Donations.” If you wish to donate to the fraternity in memory of a specific brother, please contact me, and it will be included the designation in the next Pioneer.2. Joseph Marsalek Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation: The chapter’s own, separate tax-deductible foundation, established in 2007. It is managed by the national fraternity’s foundation, but the funds are separate and under our discretion to be used for scholarships and loans for house renovations. Issue checks to “Sigma Pi Educational Foundation – Joseph Marsalek Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation.” Mail to: David Finkel, Treasurer, 1627 S. Camden Ave., Apt. #206, Los Angeles, CA 90025 – (310) 478-4293.Thank you to the following brothers who contributed to Upsilon during 2007 and 2008.Joseph F. Marsalek Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation (2007-08)# – Friend of Sigma Pi & Joseph MarsalekGrandest Orchid Level ($5,000)Estate of Joseph F. Marsalek c/o Ms. Julie (Marsalek) WageGrander Orchid Level ($1,000)Carl MoroneyGrand Orchid Level ($250)# Ernest Gall, Dirk GallJared FrandleScott SchefflerDavid ShiokariRobert WebsterOrchid Level ($100-250)James Ballard John GoodladClaude “Skip” KeyzersScot KawanoBob SchraderRalph ScottRobert WebsterEmerald Level ($100)Bill Altman# Douglas & Sally CalderonRobert DoumakesArthur Jones# Sharon Kelley Barry MaitenTom Miller# Donna OrnellChuck OsterlundDan Romero# Susan Rubel# Robert & Judith SpareFred ThornleyGold Level ($50+)Oleg Albert Paul Dinh# Patricia DyerBrian GrossJoe Henriksen # John & Sally Jess# Ted & Mary PagelBen PerkinsMichael Perl# Kevin & Dana Peters# Daniel & Gay PlaceDavid Randel# Donald VokalRob WardLavender Level ($30)# Martha Martell 2009 (dues paid through)Orchid Level ($100+)William AltmanSteve BakerDavid FinkelJohn GoodladDouglas KepplerKurt KenworthClaude “Skip” KeyzersEd KwakRobert LashbrookCarl MoroneyScott MosierCharles OsterlundRichard “Craig” OwensRichard PetersBrad Reichard (2018)Eugene RocheRick SavageSteve SchechterAdmiral James Seely (ret.)Sean ToppAl Venton Gold Level ($50)Rudy FeldmanEvan FongKen IngmanKurt KenworthDavid RandelEverett ReaKarl SchuttenhelmGlenn SmithBruce Thompson (2011)Nick Zorotovich Lavender Level ($35)Michael AlvarezJeff BaraDr. Rainer BeckJosh BrooksTaek Chang (2013)Joe CruzIan DoreshGabor FabianAndrew FisherBill Flores (2010) Gary GrossRyan Henneberg (2010)Alfred HernandezRobert Hillerman (2010)Richard HofmanErik Johnson (2015) Kaveh KamfarPrinceton Kim (2015)Dr. Chris KouturesSteve LantzDarrell Luzzo (2013)Bruce MacdonaldArturo Martinez (2011)Ron Mathis Franz Miller Raj MistryNate MurphyLiron NelikWon ParkFletcher RiehlEd RheeDan Romero (2014)Arturo Ramos (2013)Jay Ross (2011) Scott Scheffler (2010) Jim Seely (2010)David Shiokari (2010)Keith Shoji (2015)Matt SumrowAdam TreigerRob Ward (2010)Robert Webster (2010)Jason Won2008 (dues paid through)Orchid Level ($100+)David Finkel Mike FloryBarry MaitenCarl MoroneyEmerald Level ($100)Robert DoumakesFred JonesKurt Kenworth Douglas Keppler Robert LashbrookPhillip Lyons Anthony OrfilaEugene RocheRon Rule David Shiokari
Your gift to the Upsilon Alumni Association will make the difference in the lives of many of our fellow Bruin Sigma Pi brothers through scholarships, leadership training and values-based education.
As you create your personal estate plans, please remember the value of your membership and pass along the belief to others.
Sample text for a will: “I give and bequeath to the Upsilon Alumni Association, the sum of $___________ to be used in fulfillment of educational purposes as the Upsilon Alumni Association shall determine.”
Denney, a Gold Cross recipient, passed to the Adytum on High on Jan. 12, 2009, at age 76, from complications from a stroke. He lived in Orange County with his second wife Vira, and had been retired after working as a trial attorney for many years. He was buried at sea on May 24. “He was a people person, he loved people,” Vira Denney said. “He was very outgoing.”
Denney was born in Indiana, and he had five children with his first wife. He was married to Vira for 33 years, who helped to raise their children.
Denney was involved in mock trial and debating as an undergraduate and played on the Bruin tennis team during his early years. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy during peacetime of the late 1950s and was stationed in San Diego and Pt. Hueneme in Ventura County. He served as a communications officer, and he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
After discharge in 1956, Denney graduated UCLA Law School in 1964. He was a solo practitioner and practiced in criminal law, family law and real estate until retirement in 2002. He also was a cancer survivor of 25 years, and he stayed active in work until age 70 and hobbies until his health deteriorated in recent years.
Denney loved sailing and fishing off the coast and off Catalina Island, and he also helped to found the O.C. Wheelman, a bicycle club. He rode in 100-mile “century” races and rode into his 60s, with a favorite ride from Newport Beach to Laguna.
Denney was a loyal Bruin through the years, a big admirer of Bruin coach John Wooden, and rarely missed watching a football or basketball game. His wife, Vira, can be contacted: (949) 733-1933.
Swanson, a Gold Cross recipient and charter member of the Old Men’s Club, passed to the Adytum on High on Feb. , 2009, at age 86. He was a WWII veteran and was buried with honors at the Riverside National Cemetery. Upsilon brothers Jack Bryan, Bob Doumakes and John Goodlad attended the burial. The military funeral included a bugler sounding “Taps” and an honor guard with a 3-round salute. A properly folded flag was presented to his children. Swanson was in the 381st Infantry in the South Philippines as a medic with action in Leyte and Okinawa. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being shot in the calf while tending to wounded soldiers, a Bronze Star for valor in the line of duty, a Good Conduct Medal, and two Bronze Battle Stars, all before age 22 when he was honorably discharged. Merle “The Pearl” Swanson, was a midwesterner from Nebraska who lived life with Swedish gusto and fortitude. He moved to California with his mother after the early death of his father, entered UCLA after WWII, and was loved by all in Upsilon, where he was elected as Sage.
On campus, he was elected King of “Men’s Week,” paraded around like an Egyptian pharoah. He was a member of the Kelps booster club for Bruin athletics and helped to recruit Rafer Johnson, the 1960 Olympic decathlon gold medalist, to UCLA. Swanson was a strong athlete and led Upsilon in intramural football and basketball, and he was captain and 3-year letterman of the rugby team, earning a lifetime pass to Bruin sporting events. He graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in Business.
Merle Swanson – Rugby King In 1951, Swanson married his “honey,” Miss Dolores Colligan, in Sierra Madre who became the love of his life. Swanson was known as fun-loving and a big fan of the horse races, attending opening day frequently at Del Mar and Santa Anita (as a member of the Santa Anita Turf Club) and always winning his bets. “He was somebody you liked to see,” Robert Doumakes said. Although Swanson was large in stature, he was a gentle giant. He moved his family to Orange, played golf with his sons and grandchildren, and had season tickets to the Rams, Ducks and Angels. He did not smoke or drink much, but he loved to eat (especially ice cream and peanut M&Ms), and always knew the best restaurants. Extremely smart, Swanson was a brilliant mathematician and wordsmith, loved crossword puzzles and cards, and could easily spell words backwards. Swanson’s children have fond memories of their house in Orange with its pool, hot tub and game room. A loving father, he was always the last to wave them off when they went out at night, and stayed up late to ensure they returned home safely. The large family had memorable vacations at the beach and RV trips to Canada. He gave his children the freedom to roam for hours and explore, preparing them to be independent and strong in their own lives.Swanson Family Swanson was retired from the construction business, in which his company sold building supplies, and he lived in Carlsbad. At his retirement party 10 years ago (which included Judge James Ross as a guest), Doumakes said he had never seen so many people: “He had friends all over.” Swanson’s wife Dolores (“Lola”) preceded him in death in 2008. They had 6 children: Tom, Rick, Sandy, Pam, Doug and Becky. Swanson’s son Doug can be contacted at (909) 579-5583.
Loss of brothers It is a sad fact of life, but alumni brothers die every year and enter the Adytum. If you are a family member of a deceased brother who has received this copy of the Pioneer, please notify us of the death of the brother. We would like to notify the rest of the circle of brotherhood and help you celebrate his life by printing an obituary or other information about his life. Contact: Jay Ross at (310) 979-9255
Eric Tscheu, Drew Mercado, Rex Roberts, Dan "Pudge" Romero (mgr.), Andrew Fisher, Abel Somilleda, Kevin Rodriguez, & Jay Ross FULLERTON – Upsilon lost to a very skilled Long Beach St. active team, 11-9, in the second round of the playoffs at the 31st Sigma Pi Western World Series in May. LB jumped to a good early lead. Once it was determined that the Dirtbags alternated between composite and aluminum bats, the outfield adjusted. UCLA held them to 0 runs in the last 4 innings, and nearly came back to steal a big win. LB went on to advance to the finals to play OCAA #3 (CSU Fullerton alumni), which recaptured the title they held for many years. UCLA had defeated USC alumni in the first round to face LB St. “We Bruins have never lost to USC, but the games have been getting closer each year. Not so much because they are getting better,” manager Dan “Pudge” Romero said. “I think you get the picture.” After a tight few innings, the Bruins were returned to past glory and walked away with a convincing “W”. Young Jedi Abel Somilleda, who is busy breeding these days, was quoted, “Why that’s no bigger than a womp rat?” In the pool play opener against Arizona, Upsilon had a 9-run rally in the 6th inning highlighted by Rex Roberts’ 3-run triple. The team batted around, and Eric Tscheu, a World Series rookie and the 6-time McCoy champion and 2-time Papa McCoy, had a 2-run double. Romero went 3-for-3 with a triple and scored 2 runs. Andrew Fisher and Drew Mercado each had 1 RBI. Roberts secured the last out to secure the win with a fierce infield throw to beat the batter at first base. UCLA somehow lost the second game to CSU Dominquez Hills, despite its 10 errors, in extra innings. To join next year’s team, contact the Alumni Association.
Swanson, a Gold Cross recipient and charter member of the Old Men’s Club, passed to the Adytum on High on Feb. , 2009, at age 86. He was a WWII veteran and was buried with honors at the Riverside National Cemetery. Upsilon brothers Jack Bryan, Bob Doumakes and John Goodlad attended the burial. The military funeral included a bugler sounding “Taps” and an honor guard with a 3-round salute. A properly folded flag was presented to his children. Swanson was in the 381st Infantry in the South Philippines as a medic with action in Leyte and Okinawa. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being shot in the calf while tending to wounded soldiers, a Bronze Star for valor in the line of duty, a Good Conduct Medal, and two Bronze Battle Stars, all before age 22 when he was honorably discharged. Merle “The Pearl” Swanson, was a midwesterner from Nebraska who lived life with Swedish gusto and fortitude. He moved to California with his mother after the early death of his father, entered UCLA after WWII, and was loved by all in Upsilon, where he was elected as Sage.
