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Despite pledging as a junior, Steu Brown '74 still enjoyed every minute of his Phi Sig experience and remains close with many of his brothers almost 40 years later. Steu enjoys connections at weddings, reunions and football weekends at Happy Valley and continues to enjoy the bonds of brotherhood.

Thank you to Steu Brown '74 for participating in this Q&A

Why did you join Phi Sig as an undergraduate?
I was impressed that on many weekend nights, Phi Sig had parties with live bands performing on the ground floor and seemingly endless quantities of beer in the basement.

What is the funniest memory from your Phi Sig days?
It's hard to narrow all of them down to just one, but a drunken, disoriented Chip Hammersmith '76 staggering onto the stage during a 1974 Spring Week skit performance, passing out on the front edge of the stage, and blowing lunch into the audience is right up there. Another was the Friday night when Fred Musto '74 (or was it Red Fusto?) passed out and didn't wake up until Sunday. A third was the gorgeous spring day when Ron Kolson (or was it Kon Rolson?) sat down against the trunk of a tree outside of Willard Bldg to soak up some rays between classes and a male dog approached, lifted his leg, and sprayed all over him. Another was when Bruce Best '76 returned to the House from class to find an exact replica of his room, complete with all of his furniture and personal belongings, set up in the front yard.

What is the single fondest memory you have shared/will share with your children and grandchildren?
The time that Mark Bindrim '75 and Mondo were in the basement tube room, Bindrim excused himself to use the outside head, Mondo ran up to the 3rd floor shower room, bagged Bindrim, and then hustled back to his seat in the tube room out of breath just in time to witness a soaked Bindrim returning to his seat and swearing about some a-hole on the 3rd floor who bagged him.

How do you stay connected with your brothers as an alumnus?
I stay connected primarily by email, but also through mini reunions every 5 years or so, annual football tailgating and phone.

Have you visited Happy Valley since graduation?
Yes, for occasional football games and mini reunions.

What do you think about the Bill O'Brien hire?
Any new PSU football coach would have a very difficult act to follow, giant shoes to fill, and a tough road ahead. While JoePa was a one of a kind educator, mentor, and coach who will be sorely missed by all, I welcome Coach O'Brien, wish him the best, and hope that he continues our tradition of striving for success with honor.

What about your membership in Phi Sig makes you the most proud?
The fact that I've retained my Phi Sig affiliation all of these years even though, like Groucho, I was and still am reluctant to join any organization that would accept me as a member.

How would your life be different today if you had never joined Phi Sig?
Well for one, I would never have achieved the level of success I've enjoyed as an Olympic reverse lightning whales tales professional.

If you could go back and relive one moment from your Phi Sig years, what would it be and why?
If I could, I'd relive all of them. Since I pledged late as a junior, I was an active member for only one and a half years. I was just getting settled in when it was time to graduate and leave.

Where has life taken you since graduation? What's new in your life today?
I consider myself very fortunate to have been happily married to Anne for 33 years, to have a wonderful daughter Allie, and to have enjoyed a lengthy and satisfying career as a CPA.

Who do you stay connected with in your alumni years?
There are a handful of Phi Sig characters who I communicate with regularly.

Are there any brothers you've lost touch with whom you'd like to reconnect?
I'm sure there's a few.

Why would you encourage other brothers to engage with Phi Sig in their alumni years?
The fact that friendships forged 40 years ago were real, that some kind of strong bond was formed that lasted and that conversations pick up today right where they left off 40 years ago. It's truly amazing.

Brothers can connect with Steu at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..