Turtles Alumni Association

This is the fourth installment of the origins and early History as recorded in the Turtle History Book by Founder Bill (Bushes, Treetops) Trees.

In the fall of 1953 as part of the Tau Chi's emphasis to increase school spirit, they officially entered the intramural football league. At that time the participation by the student body in the intramural program was all but nil. The Turtles went undefeated. This was the first time in many years this has happened. At the completion of the season there was an All Star game and the Turtles were on the short end of a 6-0 score.

One day before convocation, which preceded a basketball game, the Turtles struck again. Signs were drawn up, various musical instruments were assembled and a brief skit was worked out. The morning of said convocation, from out of the blue, in came fifteen boys screaming, shouting, playing their instruments and carrying their posters boosting the Redmen. Since no one knew of this all were surprised and some thought it in bad taste; but after it was over almost all in attendance thought it was great and the attendance at the games began to pick up.

A short time later a planned skit (planned is used to denote the announcement of the skit to the student body) was given to increase school spirit.

In the year 1953-1954 the Turtles also participated in the following campus activities:

KAMPUS KAPERS: Roessler, Eisele, Gorsky and Henderson, Gohr and Diskerud
ALL CAMPUS SING: Diskerud, Eisele, Gorsky and Henderson
ATHLETICS: Two teams in the intramural basketball program and a team in the softball league
SERENADE OF THE GIRLS' DORM: Tau Chi's

In February, 1954, Dr. Morgan (head of the drama department) along with the student body was presenting the first of many fine musicals, "BRIGADOON". During the course of preparation for the musical, additional help was needed in order to finish the scenery by opening night, just a short 24 hours away. At the time Gohr and Rosessler were starring in the play, the first of many for these talented young men. Realizing it would be impossible to finish the sets on time they contacted the rest of the Turtles around midnight indicating the problem. At 12:30 a.m. the entire club dropped their studies and proceeded to the Music Hall . Working all night and much of the morning they finished the props for opening night just a few hours away. Dr. Morgan was so grateful he acknowledged the clubs efforts in an open letter to the student body.

REFORMATION

The clubs early beginning and fight for recognition during the spring of 1954 was a long and hard struggle. Many were offended by the brash young Turtles, always popping up from nowhere and creating some form of entertainment or "otherwise". Naturally word got around of the blasts at the lake. In actuality we were forced into becoming strongly organized or to abandon the idea of an organization. I don't believe any of the original members realized this or was for the continuance or growth of the Turtles at this time. The force previously mentioned was evidenced by several factors: 1) we had to create and adopt a constitution, 2)open the membership to any and all and, 3)change the name of the club because Turtles denoted a "drinking mans" crowd. (It doesn't appear the changing of the name helped any).

The constitution was tentative and the open membership and no voting on the pledges came about but the club remained the Turtles until a later revision.

Soon after the student council approved the Tau Chi's, the faculty weighed all facts of the club's justification for existence and a vote of approval was received. It is important to remember that this was the first organization on campus other than honorary fraternities. ANOTHER TURTLE FIRST....this opened the door for other organizations to follow but the Turtles will always remain the oldest and best!

And we continued on in the spring of 1954!

Don (Ace) Henderson, 1st Turtle President