Super Bowl Bound Stength & Conditioning Coach is a Theta Chi

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinal's can thank their strength & conditioning coach, Brother John Lott, Delta Phi/North Texas '83 for helping get the team to Super Bowl XLIII.

Lott, a 12-year NFL assistant, enters his second season as the Cardinals strength and conditioning coach after being hired on 1/19/07. Previously with the Cleveland Browns prior to joining Arizona (2005-06), Lott served in the same capacity with the New York Jets for eight years (1997-2004) where he worked with current Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt in 2000.

A native of Denton, TX, Lott has earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s most demanding strength and conditioning coaches, consistently challenging the players with off-the-field preparation both during the season and off-season. A fixture at the NFL scouting combine each February in Indianapolis, Lott was also recognized by Power Magazine as the 2001 Powermag All-NFL Team Top Strength Coach.

During his first season in Arizona, Lott was responsible for overseeing the redesign of the team’s weight room. The weight room was completely made over during a six-week span at the cost of several hundred thousand dollars to update equipment and the overall look.

You can read more about Brother Lott at the Cardinal's website, here.

Brother Wecksell Announces his Benjamin Button Tour

North Hollywood, CA (OPENPRESS) January 20, 2009 -- Maybe it is because he feels younger after every college show he does, or maybe he thinks naming a tour after a Brad Pitt movie will lead to more females reading this press release. Either way, Evan Wecksell is going back to school.

Beginning Friday, January 23 at Lock Haven University, the guitar-playing comedian who most recently tried his luck on the Sci-Fi reality game show “Cha$e,” will embark on his “Benjamin Button Tour 2009.”

“I never saw the movie,” Wecksell admits, “Personally I would’ve liked to call it ‘The Valkyrie Tour,’ but since I’m not trying to kill Hitler, I’ll go with the aging backwards metaphor.”

While past tours have involved shows split between school-wide performances and recruitment events for his Theta Chi Fraternity, this spring’s edition is more diverse than ever. For the first time in his career, Wecksell will add a fundraising dance marathon, Greek Week Lecturing and Hillel events to the mix.

On the early morning of February 14, Evan will return to his pre-comedy nonprofit roots when he takes the stage for the Vanderbilt University Dance Marathon. The fundraiser benefits Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, a member of the Children's Miracle Network.

“When I told people Evan Wecksell was coming to perform, they were totally excited!” said Dance Marathon Entertainment Chair Kirstie Kwarteng. “I'm really looking forward to his show.”

After his first trek through Tennessee, Evan will return to his native tri-state area for his first ever Hillel performance when he performs at The College of New Jersey on March 4 as part of Jewish Awareness Month. He will do a second Hillel show at University of Connecticut on April 6.

“UConn students are so excited to have Evan come to campus,” says UConn Hillel’s Natalee Martin. “We can’t wait to see how funny he is in person!”

For Wecksell, the feeling is mutual.
“To flaunt my Jewish heritage while performing is personally rewarding,” says Wecksell who grew up going to Temple Israel in Great Neck, Long Island. “It’s time to entertain the tribe.”

From New Jersey, Evan will head to Michigan and Florida before making his lecturing debut during Ball State University’s Greek Week. While he will perform his comedy during the school’s Greek Variety Show, Evan will also play the role of keynote speaker when he lectures about the importance of Greek Life.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my fraternity across the country,” says Wecksell. “Their belief in me as a brother and a recruitment tool has meant a lot.”

Wecksell’s tour will once again include his trademark recruitment event stops at multiple Theta Chi chapters including Indiana University of Pennsylvania on January 24 and Widener University on January 26.

“We’re real excited to hang out with a fellow Theta Chi brother with a good sense of humor,” says Theta Chi President Kevin Spross from Widener University. “I'm sure he has plenty of funny stories to share.”

This spring the stories travel to twelve states.
Evan Wecksell – The Benjamin Button Tour 2009 [confirmed dates]
Friday, January 23 – Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA
Saturday, January 24 – Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA*
Monday, January 26 – Widener University, Chester, PA*
Tuesday, January 27 – Webster University, St Louis, MO
Wednesday, January 28 – Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
Friday, January 30 – University of Maine, Machias, ME
Thursday, February 5 – Cal State-Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
Friday, February 6 – Pattaya Bar & Grill, Goleta, CA
Saturday, February 14 – Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Thursday, February 19 – Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
Wednesday, March 4 – The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ**
Thursday, March 19 – Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
Tuesday, March 31 – Ball State University, Muncie, IN
Wednesday, April 1 – Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
Monday, April 6 – University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT**
Friday, April 24 – Iowa State University, Ames, IA

* Theta Chi Event
** Hillel Event

About Evan Wecksell:
Comedian and Singer-Songwriter Evan Wecksell is one of the funniest and most energetic performers to emerge from New York’s comedy clubs and musical venues. Often compared to comedic superstars Adam Sandler and Stephen Lynch, Evan’s act is a blend of comedy and music that celebrates the college experience, makes fun of relationships, and pays tribute to Miley Cyrus. His comedy has been played on radio stations all over the world including Sirius Satellite Radio, the nationally syndicated Dr. Demento Radio Show and Playboy Radio. Evan has also appeared on such pop-culture shows as VH1's “I Love the 80s” and E! Television’s “30 Most Outrageous Celebrity Feuds.” He is represented by DCA Productions at www.dcaproductions.com. For complete tour information and to purchase his CDs, visit www.EvanWecksell.com.

A Theta Chi is "The Bachelor"

Jason Mesnick, AlphaRho/University of Washington '98 is "The Bachelor" on ABC this season. This is Brother Mesnick's second appearance on this type of reality TV show, he was the runner-up on "The Bachelorette" last year.

You can read more about Brother Mesnick in this post at SeattlePI.com.

In addition to Jason's two reality TV appearances, two other Theta Chi's have competed on Survior and Brother Bill Germanakos was the last year's winner on "The Biggest Loser.

Photo credits: Grant Haller/P-I

Brother John Fritchey for Congress

Brother John Fritchey, Alpha Gamma/Michigan '86 is running for U.S. Congress in the special election to fill the vacant Illinois 5th District seat (Chicago north side and suburbs.)

There will be a primary on March 3rd, 2009 with the special election held on April 7th, 2009.

Brother Fritchey has served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois and is currently in his 12th year as a Representative in the Illinois General Assembly.

Brother Fritchey has been described as a centrist Democrat and has been named on of the "100 Rising Stars to Watch" by the Democratic Leadership Council."

Brother Fritchey's campaign website is www.FritcheyforUS.com and his Facebook group is linked here.

Brother William Russell "Russ" Craft, Alpha Phi/Alabama

PHILADELPHIA -- William Russell "Russ" Craft, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 1948 and 1949 championship teams who shares the NFL record of four interceptions in a game, died Tuesday, January 13th, 2009. He was 89.

Craft, a 10-year NFL veteran who was also a player and defensive coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died in Wellsburg, W.V., the Eagles said in a statement Thursday.

Craft was a defensive back and halfback who played with the Eagles from 1946-53 and with the Steelers from 1953-55. The two-time Pro Bowl selection had 22 career interceptions, including four in a game against the Chicago Cardinals in September 1950. He shares that NFL record with 17 players.

Selected in the 15th round of the 1943 draft out of Alabama, Craft played in 100 career NFL games. He scored seven regular-season touchdowns and one TD in the Eagles' 28-21 loss to the Cardinals in the 1947 title game.

He ran the Craft Service Station in Weirton, W.Va., from 1951-85, and served two terms as the Brooke County Sheriff (1960-72).

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press