By Omar Villafranca staff reporter A crowd of more than 500 TCU fans sat in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, cheering for the rebirth of an old, familiar sight. The new SuperFrog was formally introduced Friday night at a pep rally before the football team's season opener against the University of Arizona Sunday. The old SuperFrog was sent away to a training facility two weeks ago to undergo rigorous physical training. SuperFrog has been the university's official mascot for more than 20 years.
Luke Townsend, a senior environmental science major, said he noticed the previous SuperFrog dragging during some games. Townsend said the old SuperFrog was not looking its best. "He was starting to look like Homer from 'The Simpson's,'" Townsend said. "He perspired a lot and had a little potbelly that his TCU shirt was fighting to cover. He didn't look mean, and he wasn't really a physically fit mascot." Kevin Hunt, a Spring 1999 graduate, agreed, saying it was time for the change. "(SuperFrog) was looking flabby and sick," Hunt said. "I'm glad they finally decided to change the look... Before, I didn't think our mascot could scare anyone. Now we have a pretty cool-looking mascot." The eight students who dress as SuperFrog throughout the year will not have to worry about ventilation in the new suit. Made in Canada of a strong foam composite, the suit comes equipped with an air-conditioned vest. The new SuperFrog also sports a more muscular physique and new clothes. His Hawaiian shirt and tuxedo-like outfit allow SuperFrog to dress for any TCU occasion, casual to formal. Numerous foam horns protrude from the costume, and each horn has a slight shade of green. SuperFrog's formerly droopy eyes have been replaced with a more focused look, and the air-conditioned vest should eliminate shoulder sweat rings that plagued the old mascot. TCU showgirl Candace Mihalski, a junior biology major, said the new look is tougher and intimidating. "To tell you the truth, when I first saw him, he scared me," she said. "His head is so big." The increase in SuperFrog's stature caught many spectators by surprise. Some young children in the stands stood expressionless. Others reacted quickly to the new SuperFrog and squirmed from their parents' grips to try and touch the mascot or get a closer look. Still others just cheered once the new mascot approached. Stacy Fresh, a senior psychology major, said she liked the addition of the green around the horns of the new SuperFrog. She said she was also surprised about how big the new outfit is. "He is a lot bigger," she said. "I still can't believe how huge his head is. It's, like, three feet wide." TCU showgirl Rebecca Mouch, a junior early childhood education major, said she liked SuperFrog's new look. "I also like his little horns," she said, laughing.
By Kris Gutierrez staff reporter Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officials and Pi Kappa Phi members are disputing the fraternity's involvement in an off-campus party Aug. 28 that led to the arrest of the fraternity's president. TABC Sgt. Charlie Cloud, who led the breakup of the party in the 3200 block of Sandage Avenue, said he believed the gathering was an official fraternity event after TABC and Fort Worth officers disbanded the early-morning party two weeks ago. "That's what (students who attended the party) told me when I got there," Cloud said. "It was a party sponsored by the fraternity. The fraternity was in control of the premises as their party, and each officer of the fraternity can be held criminally responsible for the actions of the fraternity." At the party, Pi Kapp President Jeff Moles was arrested in connection with buying or providing alcohol to minors. No charges had been filed as of Tuesday evening. Moles said his fraternity did not organize the party - which some say was attended by between 250 and 500 students - and that it could have been perceived as "a party for several other organizations." "I identified myself as president," he said. "Obviously there were members of our fraternity there. It wasn't the whole chapter, and it wasn't just one guy; it was somewhere in between." The party, which was held at a house where two Pi Kapp members live, drew several noise complaints from neighbors throughout the night, according to police reports. At least eight minor-in-possession citations were given at the party, but only two were given to Pi Kapp members. "When we got there, there were beer cans everywhere, beer bottles everywhere, and it just looked like a typical party," Cloud said. "It was a mess." Cloud said police knew about the gathering - and the possible alcohol violations - before the complaints, but would not say how that information was obtained. He said, however, that fraternities will often tip authorities off about other groups' parties. "Fraternities will tell on each other," Cloud said. "There's always one that has a vendetta, and they want to see another one get kicked off campus. They'll probably snitch each other out." But Moles said his fraternity did very little to promote the party. "From a facts point of view, Pi Kappa Phi didn't buy any alcohol that was at that party," he said. "We didn't rent, reserve or organize the setting." University and Pi Kapp officials said even as they investigate the events surrounding Moles' arrest, an "official function" of a Greek organization may not be clearly defined. "There's no true definition, and no magical number," said Kristen Kirst, director of fraternity and sorority affairs. "You have to take in all the factors surrounding the event. "We expect all organizations to uphold their national policies, as well as the state and university policies. It means a lot when an organization realizes their wrongdoing and takes accountability. They said they didn't meet their standard, and that's a big statement to make." Mark Timmes, chief executive officer for Pi Kapp , said several factors need to be taken into consideration to determine if a party is deemed fraternity-related: who organized the event, how it was announced, if members prepared for the event, and most importantly, the percentage of members in attendance. According to the policy of the Fraternal Insurance Packaging Group, a risk management group that covers the Pi Kapp fraternity during its events, a function is defined as "a fraternity event and any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or in any event an observer would associate with the fraternity." "I've spoken to Jeff and some advisors about it, and we're still investigating and trying to figure out exactly what did happen at this particular incident," Timmes said. "I reviewed the press report on it, and we're still in an information-gathering stage." According to the risk management policy, open parties - those with unrestricted access to non-members of the fraternity - where alcohol is present is prohibited. Also, no members, collectively or individually, can purchase, serve or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor. Breaking a rule set forth by the FIPG would not result in disciplinary action by the insurance group, Timmes said. All punishment would be given from within the fraternity. Disciplinary action from the university, Kirst said, could range between nothing at all to suspension. Timmes said arresting Moles at a house in which he did not live is somewhat out of the ordinary. "It's not a normal situation in terms of how these types of situations are handled across the country," Timmes said. "Certainly to arrest the chapter president because of some alleged conduct at an event is unique." But Cloud said the location of the party did not matter. "The house is really not the issue," Cloud said. "If we had been at a bar, would it have been any different? Leased premises, would it have been any different? Probably not." As a result of his arrest, Moles said the Pi Kapps are handling matters internally, and they plan to host TABC presentations and keep social events alcohol-free for three months. "It's an unfortunate situation," Moles said. "Personally,
I'm trying to work with the university and the TABC. Sometimes things happen,
and hopefully we can all work to see the best solution comes out of this
for everybody."
By Steven Baker staff reporter Students involved in the TCU Catholic Community said they were reminded Sunday of how fortunate they are to have a roof over their heads - even if it is a residence hall. These students and the Rev. Charles Calabrese traveled to the Presbyterian Night Shelter in northeast Fort Worth to prepare sandwiches for homeless citizens. Calabrese, Roman Catholic campus minister, said students and other volunteers meet the first Sunday of each month to provide this service. "Hunger is a basic human need," he said. "This project is something I feel committed to." Catholic community members drove 10 minutes before the abundant flowers and manicured lawns of TCU were quickly replaced by deserted buildings and barbed-wire fences near the entrance of the shelter. Once inside, the students carried bags of bread to the second floor and an upstairs kitchen. Brooks Zitzmann, a freshman pre-major, said this was her first trip to the shelter. "My initial feeling was shock and disbelief looking at the beds lined up," she said. "It was just overwhelming. I complain, and I live in a (residence hall) room with only two people. It made me feel really privileged to see how good I have it." On the first floor, the two bedrooms were separated by a lounging area. The residents were sitting, talking and watching TV. Ronnie Price, a shelter assistant, was sitting at a long lunch table. He said the shelter is only a mirror of what makes up Fort Worth. "We are a microcosm of society," he said. "The problems we have in society, we have in here." A 33-year-old man staying with his family at the shelter agreed with Price, saying people who can afford a house of their own need to count their blessings and constantly appreciate what they have because it can be taken away. "Destiny does not fall out of the sky," he said. "That is why education is the key. The harder you work, the farther in life you will get." Paul Blutt, a senior accounting major, said these service projects benefit both volunteers and citizens. "I think it is important to go outside the TCU bubble and help people," he said. "It really does make a difference. We develop friendships and bonds between us as we are helping the community. So, it is a complete win-win situation." Zitzmann said it is hard to create a deep impact at the shelter when students are only able to dedicate a short amount of time each month. But she was happy she could help, she said. "I think God created all people, and they deserve a good meal or just smiling faces around," she said.
By Omar Villafranca staff reporter When students come to Royce D. Carvalho for assistance, he cannot help but oblige them. "I feel useless if I just sit around," said Carvalho, a sophomore advertising/public relations major. "In a lot of ways, the things I do are pretty helpful for other people and me." Carvalho recently served as co-chairman of the 1999-2000 Howdy Week. He was also recently accepted into FROGLINKS, the program responsible for giving tours of the campus. "(My) tour sold me," Carvalho said. "I really wanted to give tours and show TCU to other prospective students. If I (were) convinced to come here during a 'Monday at TCU,' then I can convince others on the same tour." The campus Carvalho fell in love with during his senior year of high school has provided him with many opportunities to help and get involved, even from the beginning, he said. During his freshman year, he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and is currently an active member. "My best memory so far was bid day last year," he said. "I had so much fun. The camaraderie that night was why I joined Sig Ep. It was great." But Carvalho's history of community involvement began before he arrived at TCU in Fall 1997. During high school, he was one of five students chosen from the El Paso area to be guests on a televised forum on teen-age smoking. His roommates frequently pull out the videotape to embarrass him and get him to talk about his first TV appearance, he said. "Doing that for the NBC affiliate (in El Paso) was kind of neat," Carvalho said. "I was involved in everything in high school. This just came along, and I did it." But the same roommates who try to embarrass Carvalho also said he has much to offer to a collegiate environment. "He's very intellectual and really hard working," said roommate Matt Stewart, a sophomore pre-major. Matt Singer, Carvalho's other roommate and also a sophomore advertising/public relations major, agreed, saying Carvalho makes a compelling conversation partner. "He always has something interesting to say, and he never sits still," he said. "Never!" Although Carvalho said he admires many people, his biggest influence and hero is his father, Bob Carvalho. "Most of the things I know about life I got from my father," Carvalho said. "The things he has taught me help me handle and deal with different situations. I learned a lot from him, and I use what he taught me all the time." Carvalho said although he is enjoying his time at TCU, there are some things he would still like to change and accomplish during his time here. "There is too much apathy on this campus, and I want to change that," he said. "There needs to be some good campus events (to end apathy). I would also make the fraternity houses off campus like at other universities." As for specific things he would like to do before he leaves TCU, Carvalho's answers may raise a few administrators' eyebrows. "I want to swim in Frog Fountain naked," he said, smiling. |
Some students and alumni said they liked the change in SuperFrog's
appearance.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |