Two officers make history
Carrato, Lyons elected to Illinois’ Interfraternity Council Board
By Adam Nekola
January 6, 2010
CHAMPAIGN – Neither university records nor recent memory can tell when the university’s Inter-Fraternity Council board last boasted a member of Pi Kappa Phi. Yet it is fair to assume that two members just made history this fall.
Archon Tommy Carrato and Warden Sam Lyons were both elected to positions on IFC board; Carrato as president, and Lyons as VP of member development.
“It definitely gets [Pi Kappa Phi’s] name out there; shows the rest of the campus that we’re leaders and a growing house,” Lyons said. “It’s nice that we finally have Pi Kapps on the IFC Exec when previously it was always filled with Aggers, Pikes, ATOs, etc.”
Over the past few years, the chapter has improved on several fronts. The two Pi Kapps are hoping they can reproduce this success on a campus level and also help Pi Kappa Phi from the outside.
“It’s one thing to improve things within your own fraternity, but I’m definitely excited to work on IFC and improve other chapters as well as strengthen IFC as a whole,” Lyons said.
Carrato echoed his sentiments. Both brothers are not only true Pi Kapps, but believe strongly in the values of brotherhood.
“I realized the potential help IFC could bring to our chapter,” he said. “I also saw the flaws in the council and realized my experience in Pi Kappa Phi gave me the tools to hopefully bring some positive change to the organization.”
The IFC and Panhellenic Council have been struggling the past several years to unite the Greek community - which is the largest in the nation. This year they successfully implemented their first Greek Week in some time, with a 5K and carnival for the Boys and Girls Club of Champaign. Alcohol enforcement during rush week has also improved, with more chapters being cited by the judicial board.
Greek Oscars, the annual awards show, has been victim of poor attendance from fraternities in recent years. This is one area Lyons is excited to improve.
In their elections, Carrato was elected over Brad Bizjack of Delta Chi; Lyons over Rafael Gnatek of Psi Upsilon.