Bob Simonds ’47 blood runs about as “blue and gold” as it gets and he needs our help.
Bob Cavoto ’75, Managing Principal, 20-20 Foresight Executive Search & Executive Marketing, has agreed to lead a new alumni committee to support Gamma Zeta undergrads who have innovative ideas for new products and businesses. We have tremendous resources within our alumni network across nearly every discipline. We also have an incredibly bright and fearless group of undergrads who look at products, businesses and technologies through an entirely different lens. This new committee is being formed to develop ways to link alumni support, idea enhancement, networking, coaching and possibly even funding to our undergrads who have new and innovative product, technology and business ideas. They will also encourage and promote the undergrads to bring forward ideas and think in innovative ways.Continue reading
Andrew Selby ’10, Account Executive at Leo Burnett, has formed a “subgroup” within our ATO Illinois Linkedin group specifically for guys who have focused their career around Marketing and Advertising. This will provide a great way for these guys to network with each other, share ideas and post job opportunities. Younger members of our network can easily find more experienced guys for coaching and mentoring support. Guys who have moved up the chain can find great candidates for roles they need to fill. AND… any of our other members who may need to hire marketing or advertising support will be able to look first to see of a brother can help fulfill a need they have, answer questions or provide referrals. Continue reading
Gamma Zeta Bill Small ’63 and his sons, Mike ‘88 and Andy ’92, also Gamma Zetas, have won 9 Big Ten Championship Rings between them. With Mike still going strong as the Head Illini Golf Coach coming off his 5th Big Ten Championship in a row this summer (2013), Bill predicts the Small’s will pass by Phil Jackson’s total of 11 Championship rings before it’s all over. Here’s catching up with Bill Small.
Where did you grow up and can you tell us a little bit about your parents and family?
I was born in Peoria on 9/3/1941. I grew up in Roanoke, 25 miles east of Peoria on Rt.116. My father worked at Caterpillar 41 years and my mother was a homemaker. I had one sister who was 4 years younger who graduated from ISU and has lived in California since 1970.
During high school, you transferred to Aurora West. Aurora was traditionally a hotbed for high school basketball. Was basketball behind the transfer? Continue reading
My Phrogue Brother, Bill “Ding Ding” Wendling passed away on March 14 in Naples FL, age 63. Billy got his nickname from the hours he logged on the “Shangra-la” pinball machine at Stan’s. Billy also had the unique distinction of being accepted to U of I Veterinary School after 3 yrs of undergrad work. Read his full obituary here.
William H. ‘Bill’, ‘Billy’ Wendling ’72, died March 14, 2013 at age 63. Billy was born October 10,1949 in Elmhurst, IL. While growing up he lived in Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, IL. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1973 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Physical Education. This was followed by a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology at Colorado State University.
Richard Heath ’54 was a retired businessman and Golf Course Development Consultant for Golf Technologies, a Golf Course Design Company. Mr. Heath graduated High School in Robinson, IL. went on to Duke University for two years on a basketball scholarship and later transferred to the University of Illinois where he graduated and was a member and Worthy Master of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Dick joined the Military serving in France in 1953-1954 as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, Dick returned to Robinson and joined in the family business, eventually becoming Vice President of L. S. Heath and Sons until 1969. For his many contributions and countless hours of promotion, Mr. Heath was made an Honorary Life member of the Quail Creek Country Club, Robinson, IL.
ATO picks up some great free agents
Daily Illini
Friday, May 29, 1970
In 5 intramural divisions… Point trophies awarded Five new Intramural Achievement Point Trophy winners have been crowned, one in each of the five divisions. The trophy, symbol of athletic supremacy, is awarded on the basis of most points earned throughout the year in ten intramural sports. With a second place finish in 16 inch softball, Townsend 4S gained enough points to overtake Weston 3W and capture the Achievement Point Trophy in Men’s Residence Halls division with a total of 344. Weston 3S finished second with 329 points followed by Scott 2W (299) and Snyder 2W (220). Townsend earned a large portion of its points on the strength of championships in volleyball and water polo. In the Fraternity Blue division, Phi Epsilon Pi edged out last year’s point trophy winner, Alpha Tau Omega by a quarter of a point, 321.25 to 321…
“The year after helping Phi Epsilon Pi beat ATO out for the All Points Trophy, Vie and I joined ATO.Continue reading
Daily Illini Thursday, November 30, 1972
End of a Great Team for champion ATO
By Joe Haughney
Daily Illini Sports Writer
“It was like gravy on the potatoes”, said ATO quarterback Doug Mayoras, after he cooly maneuvered his team to the University championship.
Dick Murphy ’65 served as Worthy Master at Gamma Zeta. Since those days he had a fascinating and varied career: from a Pentagon official in the White House to a California Superior Court Judge to Mayor of San Diego. His book, “San Diego’s Judge Mayor”(available at Amazon.com) chronicles his life journey and lessons learned, including his ATO Illinois experience.
What was the impact of your leadership as Worthy Master on the chapter?
In my opinion, the most significant contribution that I made was to bring unity to disparate factions among the brothers.