Category Archives: In the News

Congrats Tim Lavery ’99! – inducted in Naperville Central Sports Hall of Fame – and ATO Illini multi sport stars…

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Mike Stine '84 and Tim Lavery '99 (photo by Colleen Abrahamovich)

Mike Stine ’84 and Tim Lavery ’99 (photo by Colleen Abrahamovich)

Tom Hicks ’75 happened to be at the Naperville Central Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony this past weekend (with his wife who coaches XCountry and teaches at Central) and was excited to learn that another Gamma Zeta, Tim Lavery ’99 was one of the honorees.  Tim starred in both football and baseball for the Redhawks.

He gave both sports a shot as an Illini as well starting several games his freshman year at QB for the Illini football team before ultimately settling on baseball.  He went on to play five years in the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates minor league organizations.

Coincidentally, Mike Stine ’84, who is Naperville Central’s current head football coach presented the award to Tim.   Here’s an article about the 2015 Naperville Central Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  Congrats Tim!!

As an aside… Tim wasn’t Gamma Zeta’s only multi sport Illini star.

Harold Pogue '16

Harold Pogue ’16

The Illini’s legendary football coach Bob Zupke recruited Harold Pogue ’16 off the Illini track team to ultimately star for the football team and be named All American.  Pogue was considered by many to be the Illini’s greatest football player prior to Red Grange.  He also served a term as Worthy Master of Gamma Zeta.  How’s that for the definition of a busy college student?!?

 

Burdette Thurlby

Burdette Thurlby 50

Burdette “Pirate” Thurlby ’50 played baseball and basketball for the Illini before coaching and playing in the Cubs minor league system.

 

 

 

Kersulis

Walt Kersulis 50

His classmate Walt “Slip” Kersulis ’50 starred on the football and basketball teams.

 

 

 

Callaghan

Rich Callaghan 65

Rich Callaghan ’65 collected an absolutely incredible nine varsity letters for the Illini in football, wrestling and baseball.

 

 

 

john wright

John Wright 69

John Wright ’69 was an Academic All American in football and Big Ten high hurdle champion in track.  His son John Wright Jr. ’92 was also an Academic All American for the Illini football team.  They are the first father-son first team Academic All Americans in NCAA football history.

 

 

Finke

Jeff Finke 90

Jeff Finke ’90 played both basketball and football for the Illini.  Jeff’s son, Michael is a freshman on the Illini basketball team.

 

 

tom hicks

Tom Hicks 75

Tom Hicks ’75, who got this whole thing rolling with his mention of Tim’s HOF selection specialized in football as an Illini before going on to a successful pro career with the Bears.  However, he most certainly could have played multiple sports in college as he was an All-State selection in football, basketball and baseball while attending Willowbrook High School.  He did lead the Taus to four straight intramural basketball championships so I think he deserves a mention!!

… pretty impressive list!!

Jon Osacky ‘16.5 recognized for creating phone application, Meter for Uber

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Just yesterday, Internet culture website, the Daily Dot, acknowledged Gamma Zeta Undergraduate Jon Osacky for creating the Android, and soon to be I-phone application, Meter for Uber. Meter for Uber gives Uber users a breakdown of exactly what they are paying for when they decide to ride with Uber.

Osacky came up with the idea while he was interning in California for another phone application company called Slice. Since he did not have a car, Osacky depended on Uber to get him from place to place and became interested in how Uber calculates its final cost. From here, Osacky began working and developing what would eventually become Meter for Uber.

Currently, Osacky is back in California interning for Facebook and will remain there over summer for an internship with Uber.

Jon speaking to an audience for ACM Open House at U of I.

Jon speaking to an audience for ACM Open House at U of I.

Congrats Jon on all your achievements, and I’m sure there will be many more to come!

Daily Dot article: http://www.dailydot.com/technology/meter-uber-app-track-bill/

Mike LaVitola ’09 interview on TV Show “Bootstrapping in America”

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Mike LaVitola ’09, who we featured in a profile story back in March and who was a participant in our “Tau Tank” lunch event in April is still going strong with his start up Foxtrot.  Please check out this interview with Mike and his partner on the TV Show Bootstrapping in America which is a daily series where they interview entrepreneurs at all levels.

Peter Korst ’76, one of the founders of the Orange Krush

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rickloupeter

Rick ’78, Lou Henson and Peter Korst ’76

It’s well known that Gamma Zetas have made their mark on the Illini basketball court.  But did you know that we’ve done it from the stands as well?  Check out this article about the history of the Orange Krush which credits our own Peter Korst ’76 as one of the founders.

http://www.fightingillini.com/genrel/022814aab.html

Rob Kneupfer, Jr. 1974 Dennison recognized with Order of Merit from Hungary

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Knuepfer“…to have no narrower limits within which to work together for the elevation of man than the outlines of the world…”

We all know those words from the ATO Creed but few exemplify them better than Robert C. Knuepfer, Jr. 1974, Dennison. Normally, we reserve reporting here for Gamma Zeta News and Rob wasn’t a Gamma Zeta. But, his grandfather, Russell S White 1917 was GZ Worthy Master in 1916/17 and his uncles, Robert L. White 1946 and David N. White 1954 are Gamma Zetas. Also, Rob served as Gamma Zeta Chapter Consultant and went on to be National Worthy Grand Chief… so, we’ll proudly claim him.

On Friday, November 22 at a reception in Chicago, Rob was honored with the Order of Merit of Hungary by Zswolt Nemeth, Deputy Foreign Minister. Rob was recognized for his years of service to Hungary and in large part for his efforts in helping Hungary transition from socialism to capitalism. Just to put Rob’s influence in perspective, he also oversaw the opening of Baker & McKenzie offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Tashkent, Baku, Warsaw and Prague, and helped bring high-profile U.S. companies to Hungary, including General Motors, Ford, General Electric and Pepsi.

Here’s a link to an article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin which provides a great deal more detail about Rob – “A knight-like recognition” – http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/Articles/2013/12/02/Amicus-Curious-Knuepfer-12-2-13.aspx

Bob Simonds (Gamma Zeta ’46) was invited to represent ATO at the reception honoring Rob. Bob was unable to attend so he invited John Aymond ’80 and Dane Luhrsen ’77 to stand in for him and they were honored to represent ATO in support of Rob at the reception.