Laugh So Hard Your Guts Hurt

October 2006

Boring day? These hilarious memories will put a smile on your face and take you back to your days as an undergrad. Relive your wild days and share your memories with us at here.

What is the memory that makes you laugh hardest today?

“One of the brothers, Bob Benson, I believe, chasing a rat around the old house with a golf club. He left a few dents in those walls.” - Chester C Davis, ’58

“Our pledge class "Mooning" within the rotunda at high noon at UVa.” - Gregory H. Tuttle, ’74

“Steve Leonard posting my name on the Kappa Delta bulletin board. The note was written as if it came from me requesting the chance to attend their Spring Formal. I think it was the fall of 1977.” - Thomas Gray McCaskill, ’79

“One winter the Alpha Omega sorority toilet-papered our house and did a hell of a job. There was toilet paper in every nook and cranny of every tree in our yard, top to bottom just covered. It was really something. Sure enough, it rained soon after, making the toilet paper stick like some kind of paper cement. Weeks went by, with our house and yard looking like somebody's disgusting bathroom. Finally late one night, about 2 AM, under the influence of some unmentionables, I believe it was Chris Carter who took his lighter to one end of the nuisance and lit it on fire. Have you ever watched toilet paper burn? It burns fast and bright. In a few moments, and after a few more ends were lit, a spreading and catching thing occurred, and the toilet paper was on fire everywhere, literally glowing our section of Chapel Hill like a major rock show was happening. Balls of flames cascaded down into the street, causing the few drivers out there to swerve and avoid the molotov cocktails from the trees. As you might expect, fireman and cops arrived in a few minutes. Every single fire unit in Chapel Hill drove up, parked on the opposite side of the street and was just about to start fighting the inferno, when guess what... Poof. Like magic the entire scene vanished. The fire disappeared as quickly as it had come. One minute we were lighting up the skies, the next we were in the dark watching them from the front bench. The men turned their trucks around and went home. Officially, not a word was spoken about it, until an hour later when Bake Baker lit a section in the back yard that had escaped the first go-round. Then the cops were in the front room giving us a pretty serious lecture. I don't know if it was the hardest I laughed or not, but it was the most amazing spectacle I've ever seen.” - Jason Matthews, ’90

Describe the best party

“Mattress party in the basement. All bedding was brought down and it became a big pajama party.” - Chester C Davis, ’58

“Lady and the Tramp mixer with Joe Gordon supervising the "Harry Buffalo" punch with special surprise. I had my first date with Kimberly Ann Davis of Greensboro on that night. On June 21 of 2006 we will have been married 26 years.” - Thomas Gray McCaskill, ’79


Describe your favorite/best road trip

“Myrtle Beach with half-dozen brothers during summer school 1958, sleeping in un-air conditioned house and using GI surplus life raft. Sunburns for all!” - George E. Rowland, ’59

“Fall 1977. Lamar Seats, Rick Brown, Fred McCoy and I traveled to University of Kentucky to watch the Heels open against the Wildcats in Football. UK had beaten us in the Peach Bowl the season before. The Sig Eps of UK were a bit different in the 70's than the Sig Eps of UNC. We went to the game in coat and tie expecting our UK Brothers to have dates for us. Most of them went in T-shirts without dates. Found the after parties and danced the night away.” - Thomas Gray McCaskill, ’79


What is the one memory you have shared or will share with your children or grandchildren?

“Value of a fraternity. Camaraderie and friendships to help you through school.” - Chester C Davis, ’58

“Spring of 1976 when the Sig Eps beat the UNC Basketball team for the intramural fast pitch softball championship. Darrell Shealy pitching; H.E. Douglas at short stop; Jerry Shelton catching; Chris Hager on First Base; Toby Hole at 3rd; Steve Leonard in deep.” - Thomas Gray McCaskill, ’79