Being in college, I now understand what everyone was saying, when they said that "the people you meet in college will be there for you for a lifetime." Friendship isn't about whom you've known for the longest, it is about who hasn't left your side. Alpha Tau Omega, at Stephen F. Austin State University, is all about friendship, helping others, and staying true to their brotherhood. There are many reasons to love ATO, but here are just a few!
1. They help their community.
"I think it's a great way to bring our brothers together to give back to the community that has gave us so much!" -Jude Jeffress
Twice a semester, the brothers of ATO, go out and clean up the highway for 2 miles. This is dedication right there and is such a great way to give back to the Oldest Town in Texas.
2. Their tailgates are always poppin'.
"Tailgates are probably one of my favorite parts about college! Tailgate would be nothing without the ATOs though, it wouldn't be fun without them! Grilling, enjoying everyones' company, and some wild games of beer pong are worth waking up early on a Saturday" -Sweetheart Chandler Corkran
There are 4 seasons in the South: Winter, Spring, Summer, and TAILGATE season! Stephen F. Austin has exciting tailgates, but if you want to have a full college experience, then check out ATO's tailgate tent!
3. Family Nights.
"My favorite part about family night is where we go around in a circles in our family and say what we love about ATO and who the best family is (black and gold)" -Sweetheart Briana Dale
Being apart of the Alpha Tau Omega family is such an amazing gift. It is such a good feeling knowing that I have a great group of friends, who are always there for me. Family nights in ATO are full of bonding, laughter, and memories that will last forever. BLACK AND GOLD!
4. They have the BEST Halloween party ever.
"My favorite thing about ATO Halloween is the pride I feel after hosting such an incredible event. Thousands of college students from all over the country visit Nacogdoches just to attend the best Halloween party in East Texas, if not the state. I love knowing we are one of the only fraternities on campus capable of hosting a party that large at our own frat house! The costumes and partying is a lot of fun, but nothing beats the feeling of walking on campus the following Monday and hearing everyone talk about how much fun they had at our event." -Christopher Keeler
5. The lifelong friends.
Halloween is always one of America's most favorite traditions. If you are ever in East Texas, or are in Nacogdoches, then you should for sure attend ATO's annual Halloween Party.
"I know that the friends I made in this fraternity will be friends of mine long after college because of our love and support for ATO. We have all grown to have pride in being apart of ATO and that has bonded us for much longer than 4 years!" -White Tea Rose, Amanda Myers
There aren't that many people you just 'click' with, and when you find those people, you just don't let them go. I know that the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega will be at my wedding, parties I have after college, and my funeral. Lifelong friends share laughter and tears throughout the years.
6. They are always there for you.
"I just love knowing that I have such a fun, caring and crazy group of guys that'll have my back no matter what. ΑΤΩ has become almost like my second family and I'm grateful for that." -Sweetheart Victoria Corpus
I can always count on an ATO brother to pick up the phone if I need anything. There have been many times where I have needed someone to talk to, needed a ride home, or simply just needed a friend. The brothers of Alpha Tau Omega are always there when you need a friend.
7. They take pride in being an ATO.
"I really love coming back from basic training and Korea and having such an welcome family in my life." -President Kyle Sistrunk
Think of it as this- Do you take pride in your family name? Do you just love being (enter last name)? If so, then you know that family is everything to you. The brothers of Alpha Tau Omega appreciate their title and know that they love the family that they are apart of. I think it is very special to see a group of young men bond together and know that they are a LIFETIME family.
8. The bond you share with your Big.
"My favorite thing about having a little is she laughs at my dumb jokes." -Drew Hastings
Big and Little traditions have been occurring for many years. It first started in the 60's and is on going today. Having a big is like having an imaginary "big" brother. Unfortunately, I never had the gift of a real-life brother, but now that I do, I am so blessed with such an inspiring role model.
9. A Ton of Toys.
"I love the bike raffle at the end. We get to sit with the kids and play with their new toys while the raffle numbers are being called out. When one of their numbers are called they go absolutely crazy, it's adorable." -Logan Hart
Every Christmas, ATO and the sororities donate a bunch of toys for the Boys and Girls club in Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas. They always put in so much effort to make many children's Christmases more special.
10. How involved their Alumni is.
"I love that when I came in all we had was a house on some property. Because of the alumni we have everything you see out there now. They proved that it's longer than a 4 year commitment and really is a lifetime brotherhood." -Lucas Baker
Alpha Tau Omega, at Stephen F. Austin State University, has over 1,200 alumni. On the 45th Founders Day, in 2014, ATO Alumni donated around 70k towards the chapter. Not only are ATO Alumni very dedicated, but they also visit the fraternity for other annual events. Some famous ATO Alumni are: Ken Murphy, CEO of Mattress Firm, Tim Clipson, National President of Alpha Tau Omega, and Jeremy Moses, former SFA Quarterback who won best player for D1 - Double A. The 50th Founders Day will be in 2019, and we can not wait to see what all the alumni has in store for this great chapter.
11. They never disappoint at intramural games.
"I love the competition and the rivalries, it feels like the games actually mean something" -Zack HaywardStriving for success, ATO has won almost all Greek Week Championships. From basketball, football, and so much more, ATO always gives it there all.
"I like the golf tournament because we get to catch up with our alumni. It's a great day where all of our old friends come back and hang out with us. The older guys have a lot of knowledge to pass down to the newer generations of ATΩs to help us better our chapter. It's a great way to keep up with where we came from." -Ben Robinett
Every Spring, this annual event is when alumni come down to Nacogdoches and participate in the annual golf tournament. After a long day of spending time with the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega, they then visit the chapter's house, in which they share some most cherished memories.
13. They have become a second family.
"Just like family back at home, my fraternal family and I share a bond that is eternal. It is a great feeing to know that the people I became a man with in college will still be my brothers at every stage in life." -Paxton Sandidge
We are all a second family; we spend so much time together and have gotten to know each other so well. They have took me under their wing, and have treated me like a little sister. They have given me the courage to fight for what I believe in and have helped me strive to reach my goals. I don't know what I would do without my second family, but thank you, to the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega, for always being there for me.
