I’m excited to share that the annual Mudbowl is right around the corner on October 26! As many of you know, it’s one of Michigan’s most spirited traditions and a chance for Fiji to showcase our pride, brotherhood, and competitiveness in front of the entire campus.

After coming up short last year when limited numbers forced us to play three straight elimination games, we’re entering this Mudbowl stronger and more prepared. Nearly the entire chapter is playing and donations will be key to helping us secure crucial byes in the bracket. Our senior class is especially committed and eager to leave a lasting mark by going out with a bang. 

Your support makes a huge difference—not only by boosting our chances on the field, but also by showing that alumni continue to stand behind the active chapter and the tradition you helped build. 

Every contribution, big or small, helps us get one step closer to victory!

Donate to Fiji’s 2025 Mudbowl Fundraiser

The 2024 Frank Norris Pig Dinner was Friday night, November 22nd. We rented out the Pendleton Room of the Michigan Union. We had a full weekend of events. Check out the full schedule here

Join us at 707 Oxford for a brand new networking event before Pig Dinner on November 22 between 3-5pm! Undergrads will be paired with alumni in their aspiring career field to pass along knowledge and advice, truly showcasing how Phi Gamma Delta is Not for College Days Alone!

Click here for more details

Each year the chapter recognizes the outstanding members who have contributed to the success of the chapter during the year. This year, 18 recipients received over $13,000 with the largest portion coming from the Phi Gamma Delta of Michigan Foundation (our fundraising arm). Kelley Rea ’66 presented the awards November 9th, with a good evening of fellowship, including pizza and refreshments. Check out the summary of recipients.

The Undergrads outnumber the Grads 38 to 31 for a good turnout at this year’s Pig Dinner on October 13th. It has been 4 years since we could get together due to Covid, so there was refreshing enthusiasm to attend. Brotherhood flowed freely. It was good to see the Undergrads play a large part in supporting the event. Brother Orlando Cabrera ’84 gave living examples of how true brotherhood really exists after “college songs and college lays are faded with their maker’s days.” Check out the rest of the story.

The Michigan Mudbowl Club works with the University's Greek community to keep this fall Ann Arbor tradition thriving. As the nation's oldest student-led fundraising event, members from various fraternal organizations have united in competition to generate more than $250,000 for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital over the past 8 years alone!

Donate here to support team Fiji: https://givebutter.com/89thMichiganMudbowl/fiji-5

Your gift represents hope for children affected by life-threatening or chronic diseases and supports investigators who have dedicated their lives to finding solutions, accelerating innovative ideas, and bringing concepts closer to real cures.

Football is driving the plans for Pig Dinner this year, so we are moving the dinner to Friday night, October 13th. Full schedule of events:

Friday night: Pig Dinner at the house
Saturday morn: Brunch at the house (family, too)
Game day watch party at the house: Michigan v Indiana
Post game: Casual at Comfort Inn
Sunday: Breakfast at Comfort Inn & checkout

Our friendships are not for college days alone. Covid has robbed us of our time together the last few years, so it is time to make it up!

Every year, the chapter recognizes service "above and beyond" the call of duty for service to the chapter or the university. This year, on October 21st, 2022, the Phi Gamma Delta of Michigan Foundation presented over $10,000 to members of the chapter who stepped up to the challenge of being more than good chapter members for the contributions they made. Some of the awards are funded by trusts set up by graduates of the chapter, while the rest are funded by the Foundation from contributions it has received.
Check out the recognition awards for the leaders of our chapter

We lost a great one in December. Bob McGrath, Michigan Fiji '54, gave us a lot to remember. Many of you recognize him from Sesame Street, but those who don't should understand the tremendous contribution he made to positively shaping the minds of young people trying to understand the world via Sesame Street. Bob was an unassuming Brother who loved his fraternity. He was not afraid to sing with Chris Parker '68 and me, when he came back to Pig Dinner a few years ago. He was a Rock Star in Japan before he made his impact on Sesame Street, and a wonderful person. Bob once told me that when he had a voice test while studying music at Michigan, he would literally not talk to anyone for days before his test to save his voice. He was dedicated.
Check out "page two" for more about his life.

Winterfest is the weekend of February 18th, and the chapter is raising money to benefit the Autism Alliance of Michigan, the Women's Center of Southeast Michigan, and Fisher House Michigan. The deadline for contributions is February 15th, and the goal is to raise four thousand dollars for the causes. Check out how they did last year.

If you would like to contribute, just click the link below
https://sigmanu.crowdchange.co/29832/team/39068/donate

The chapter is defending its title as champions of the Mudbowl from last year. This year's game is being played on October 29th, 2022. It is more than a competition, it is also a fundraiser for the Mott Children Hospital in Ann Arbor. Check out the details, and see how you can support the Undergrads by clicking on this link, https://givebutter.com/88thMichiganMudbowl/fiji-4/fiji2. We welcome your support.

If you missed the results from last year, here is the story you need to read. http://www.phigams.org/articles/mudbowl22/

Welcome Aaron Ellis '08, as our new webmaster. After 30+ years of giving us our communication link, Greg Ippolito '83 is retiring. He has given us a robust website that has become home for the Ephlier communications, Member Database, and Photo Gallery, and done this without cost to our Fraternity. Aaron brings a fresh insight into our presentation and new ideas for our structure.

Thank you Greg.

Aaron Ellis has been writing computer code since the age of 13. He specializes in web platform development for startups and small businesses in the financial industry, especially with the Python programming language. His work has taken him across the country, but he has called Denver, Colorado home for the past 10 years.