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OT: Top Ten Fraternity houses at PSU [link]

MtNittany

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May 29, 2001
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link here - but pasted below:

Greek life: a combination of outrageous parties and overpriced Vineyard Vine tanks. The Greek culture celebrates unity in brotherhood and sisterhood, and Penn State University is no exception. PSU takes Greek Life to the next level, mostly due to the immaculate housing they are provided with. Some look like they’ve been pulled right out of a storybook fairy tale, except what goes on inside the houses is definitely not fit for publishing. Sorority houses are not allowed in the state of Pennsylvania, but with 45 fraternity houses at Penn State, there will be no shortage of Greek social life here.

10. Delta Sigma Phi
deltaSIG.jpg

Collegian.psu.edu

Delta Sigma Phi’s house is quite different from the rest. The pink walls create a calming presence on an otherwise intimidating walk through Frat Row. The smooth walls are rare as are the seemingly endless rows of windows facing out into the world. The patio behind the house provides a setting where privacy is not an issue and kicking back with a brewski is welcomed. ΔΣΦ is unique (come on, pink walls) which is why it ends up in spot number 10.

9. Alpha Tau Omega
alpha-tau-omega-fraternity-house-photos-psu-1.jpg

coed.com

The entire Alpha Tau Omega house has an almost presidential look to it. The columns stand tall creating a balcony for a third floor lookout. It’s located on East Fairmont, just minutes from downtown State College and most classrooms. The yard is well kept and destruction is minimal due to its picturesque elegance. The fraternity displays all awards in a glass case for all to see inside. ΑΤΩ evokes an elegant simplicity.

8. Alpha Gamma Rho
AGR.jpg

pennlive.com

Located right on Fraternity Row, Alpha Gamma Rho’s house displays the stereotypical white columns and southern glow that seems to be a common look among houses. However, the brothers really keep it tidy and clean and that cleanliness sets it apart from other house. Alpha Gamma Rho brother Trevor Stauffer said this house is pretty unique to the brotherhood. It was built in 1968 after being burned down in 1966, making it not as old as some of the other houses in State College. “We spend time out on the porch and patio chilling, grilling or watching the town go by,” he said. “It’s perfect.”

7. Delta Upsilon
snnP9.So_.42-e1459278228250.jpeg

centredaily.com

Delta Upsilon’s house looks like it came from a magical woodland forest. Walking up to the arched door makes you feel like Sleeping Beauty will be right there to greet you. Picture-perfect pines surround the house creating beautiful scenery for those exhausting day longs. ΔΥ recently constructed a large wooden fence around the whole property to engage in more private parties, and now the day longs can be even longer. Located right across from downtown, this frat house is on point.

6. Beta Theta Phi
101252.jpeg

pennstatermag.com

Although the ΒΘΠ house is alcohol-free, the charming red brick house will not disappoint. It’s right on Burrowes, making the house a perfect setting to hang out on the lawn or porch and people watch as students make their way to class. Established in 1888, Beta Theta Phi is the second oldest fraternity at Penn State. Although they were kicked off during the 2009-2010 academic year, they reestablished their chapter in Fall of 2010 with a newly renovated establishment. This house is perfect for short walks to class. Oh, and not to mention the free campus Wi-Fi.

5. Sigma Chi
IMG_1347.jpg

onwardstate.com

This house is really interesting. I mean, what is in that turret? Archers ready to defend the house? A princess, locked away, waiting for her prince? Let’s hope not. Sigma Chi is a well-known frat with parties on the weekend and celebratory day longs when the weather’s nice out. With 240 active Chapters, ΣΧ is the 2nd largest Fraternity in the nation. The unique Tudor-style architecture earns Sigma Chi bonus points.

4. Sigma Alpha Epsilon
SAWEE.jpg

listyes.com

ΣΑΕ is huge. It doesn’t even look like it should be qualified as a house, maybe like a frat mansion of some sort instead. The massive lawn and the back of the house cannot be captured in a picture. The fact that this place has a governor’s driveway on the side proves its worthiness as a mansion. President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Peter Mathews said he loves living with 45 of his closest friends down the hall. “Being up on a hill looking over Beaver Ave and seeing everyone that visits Penn State pass by is really cool,” Mathews said. “The physical structure of the house is defined by the character that lives within.”

3. Sigma Phi Epsilon
sig-ep1.jpg

pennlive.com

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s house reins as number 3 on the list with its pinkish sand walls and red-shingled roof. It’s an enormous Spanish style house right in the middle of Happy Valley. Sigma Phi Epsilon brother Raul Silaghi said the house has been standing for over 100 years and constantly gets renovated and repaired for maintenance purposes. “It’s really the brothers, not the location or style of the place, that make the house special,” he said. “Although the Spanish villa always caught my attention.” Silaghi described ΣΦΕ as a great place to really enjoy the frat culture that Penn State has to offer.

2. Chi Phi
frat.jpg

onwardstate.com

Chi Phi looks like Snow White used to live here, gently tucked away with a nice front lawn, trees in the backyard and perfectly-placed stones over ever inch of the houses outside walls. ΧΦ is a good distance from campus and downtown, but living in a place like this is well worth the walk. The brothers invested $1.7 million in renovating the house complete with their own personal library, multiple clubrooms and a fresh bathroom revamp for the ladies. The curvature of this house adds to the unique factor.

1. Sigma Pi
sigma.jpg

pennlive.com

ΣΠ is number one on our list as the best looking Greek house at Penn State. The outside is truly incredible with multicolored stone walls, large window fronts and lavish balconies. The combination of the Tudor wooden slats and cobble stone walls makes for another unique storybook fantasy house, but the size of this place would fit a lot more than seven dwarfs. The aesthetics of this immaculate castle is not what usually comes to mind when someone says Frat House, making Sigma Pi a structural work of art. With the largest front porch at Penn State, their tailgates and day longs can’t be beat.
 
Checking in at #2. I would switch SAE w/ SIg Pi. Sig Pi was always a cool house - but not stately enough to be #1, IMO. Chi Phi speaks for itself. Plus it has a double lot and former sand trap.
 
link here - but pasted below:

Greek life: a combination of outrageous parties and overpriced Vineyard Vine tanks. The Greek culture celebrates unity in brotherhood and sisterhood, and Penn State University is no exception. PSU takes Greek Life to the next level, mostly due to the immaculate housing they are provided with. Some look like they’ve been pulled right out of a storybook fairy tale, except what goes on inside the houses is definitely not fit for publishing. Sorority houses are not allowed in the state of Pennsylvania, but with 45 fraternity houses at Penn State, there will be no shortage of Greek social life here.

10. Delta Sigma Phi
deltaSIG.jpg

Collegian.psu.edu

Delta Sigma Phi’s house is quite different from the rest. The pink walls create a calming presence on an otherwise intimidating walk through Frat Row. The smooth walls are rare as are the seemingly endless rows of windows facing out into the world. The patio behind the house provides a setting where privacy is not an issue and kicking back with a brewski is welcomed. ΔΣΦ is unique (come on, pink walls) which is why it ends up in spot number 10.

9. Alpha Tau Omega
alpha-tau-omega-fraternity-house-photos-psu-1.jpg

coed.com

The entire Alpha Tau Omega house has an almost presidential look to it. The columns stand tall creating a balcony for a third floor lookout. It’s located on East Fairmont, just minutes from downtown State College and most classrooms. The yard is well kept and destruction is minimal due to its picturesque elegance. The fraternity displays all awards in a glass case for all to see inside. ΑΤΩ evokes an elegant simplicity.

8. Alpha Gamma Rho
AGR.jpg

pennlive.com

Located right on Fraternity Row, Alpha Gamma Rho’s house displays the stereotypical white columns and southern glow that seems to be a common look among houses. However, the brothers really keep it tidy and clean and that cleanliness sets it apart from other house. Alpha Gamma Rho brother Trevor Stauffer said this house is pretty unique to the brotherhood. It was built in 1968 after being burned down in 1966, making it not as old as some of the other houses in State College. “We spend time out on the porch and patio chilling, grilling or watching the town go by,” he said. “It’s perfect.”

7. Delta Upsilon
snnP9.So_.42-e1459278228250.jpeg

centredaily.com

Delta Upsilon’s house looks like it came from a magical woodland forest. Walking up to the arched door makes you feel like Sleeping Beauty will be right there to greet you. Picture-perfect pines surround the house creating beautiful scenery for those exhausting day longs. ΔΥ recently constructed a large wooden fence around the whole property to engage in more private parties, and now the day longs can be even longer. Located right across from downtown, this frat house is on point.

6. Beta Theta Phi
101252.jpeg

pennstatermag.com

Although the ΒΘΠ house is alcohol-free, the charming red brick house will not disappoint. It’s right on Burrowes, making the house a perfect setting to hang out on the lawn or porch and people watch as students make their way to class. Established in 1888, Beta Theta Phi is the second oldest fraternity at Penn State. Although they were kicked off during the 2009-2010 academic year, they reestablished their chapter in Fall of 2010 with a newly renovated establishment. This house is perfect for short walks to class. Oh, and not to mention the free campus Wi-Fi.

5. Sigma Chi
IMG_1347.jpg

onwardstate.com

This house is really interesting. I mean, what is in that turret? Archers ready to defend the house? A princess, locked away, waiting for her prince? Let’s hope not. Sigma Chi is a well-known frat with parties on the weekend and celebratory day longs when the weather’s nice out. With 240 active Chapters, ΣΧ is the 2nd largest Fraternity in the nation. The unique Tudor-style architecture earns Sigma Chi bonus points.

4. Sigma Alpha Epsilon
SAWEE.jpg

listyes.com

ΣΑΕ is huge. It doesn’t even look like it should be qualified as a house, maybe like a frat mansion of some sort instead. The massive lawn and the back of the house cannot be captured in a picture. The fact that this place has a governor’s driveway on the side proves its worthiness as a mansion. President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Peter Mathews said he loves living with 45 of his closest friends down the hall. “Being up on a hill looking over Beaver Ave and seeing everyone that visits Penn State pass by is really cool,” Mathews said. “The physical structure of the house is defined by the character that lives within.”

3. Sigma Phi Epsilon
sig-ep1.jpg

pennlive.com

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s house reins as number 3 on the list with its pinkish sand walls and red-shingled roof. It’s an enormous Spanish style house right in the middle of Happy Valley. Sigma Phi Epsilon brother Raul Silaghi said the house has been standing for over 100 years and constantly gets renovated and repaired for maintenance purposes. “It’s really the brothers, not the location or style of the place, that make the house special,” he said. “Although the Spanish villa always caught my attention.” Silaghi described ΣΦΕ as a great place to really enjoy the frat culture that Penn State has to offer.

2. Chi Phi
frat.jpg

onwardstate.com

Chi Phi looks like Snow White used to live here, gently tucked away with a nice front lawn, trees in the backyard and perfectly-placed stones over ever inch of the houses outside walls. ΧΦ is a good distance from campus and downtown, but living in a place like this is well worth the walk. The brothers invested $1.7 million in renovating the house complete with their own personal library, multiple clubrooms and a fresh bathroom revamp for the ladies. The curvature of this house adds to the unique factor.

1. Sigma Pi
sigma.jpg

pennlive.com

ΣΠ is number one on our list as the best looking Greek house at Penn State. The outside is truly incredible with multicolored stone walls, large window fronts and lavish balconies. The combination of the Tudor wooden slats and cobble stone walls makes for another unique storybook fantasy house, but the size of this place would fit a lot more than seven dwarfs. The aesthetics of this immaculate castle is not what usually comes to mind when someone says Frat House, making Sigma Pi a structural work of art. With the largest front porch at Penn State, their tailgates and day longs can’t be beat.


Wow.. Was looking for mine until I realized... We have been suspended for the next three years... Oops...
 
Wow.. Was looking for mine until I realized... We have been suspended for the next three years... Oops...
I would have put you neck and neck w/ SAE. I assume you're talking about KDR. Chi Phi has the corner lot and SAE is downtown. KDR is the best side street house imo.
 
What years were you at Acacia? I was in the Spring '90 class.

Pledge Class Spring 86 (30 year anniversary 4/15/16). I was the pledge trainer for the Spring 1988 class, many of whom probably made great hard asses 2 years later. My claim to fame was not telling the brotherhood when the pledge class was bolting (my way to screw over everyone). Also we had a little sister go over the railing on 2nd floor walk way between old/new parts landing on hard tile breezeway floor. Poor kid broke her jaw and lost several teeth.
 
those are all pretty houses....but I'll throw my in the mix. plus, we had a huge backyard for monster parties. comes in handy on football weekends too for a spot to park;)


-c5fdd61b8614f59d.JPG

Aq9BGYnCEAA2f1c.jpg
 
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Ridiculous list... where is my house Acacia? OK, maybe not pretty facade but the best Thursday night parties back in the 80's

5221683766637772202389160318n.jpg
How am I not surprised you are an Acacian as well...

BTW, I love that balcony, watched the sun rise from there a couple times.
 
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Also we had a little sister go over the railing on 2nd floor walk way between old/new parts landing on hard tile breezeway floor. Poor kid broke her jaw and lost several teeth.
Have you been back in the last two years? They got rid of that opening and now the floor extends all the way to the glass like it does one the third floor (what we called the Library hallway/dart room, don't know how long those names have been around).
 
Checking in at #5 ... not too shabby. Especially one spot ahead of Beta Theta Pi (although the article calls it Beta Theta Phi) which I thought was the best looking house when I was a student in the early/mid 80s. I don't know about you guys, but I really didn't appreciate the architecture of these houses until after I graduated (and matured)?!
 
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Checking in at #2. I would switch SAE w/ SIg Pi. Sig Pi was always a cool house - but not stately enough to be #1, IMO. Chi Phi speaks for itself. Plus it has a double lot and former sand trap.
Can't speak for the present state of things, but back in the day, Sigma Pi was the best looking house inside and out. In fact, Playboy once rated it in the top ten nationally.
 
Yes.......1982 - 1986.

Regarding the list, no way should #10 & #3, and probably #5 & #2, but especially #7, be listed. DU was a shithole both inside and out.
I know many houses ran in cycles as different types of brothers came in the house (some cared about the house, others didn't) so I can't base my decisions on my 1983 version or else I would agree about DU. We used to call it drugs unlimited and it was a dump back then. As mentioned above I belong to #5 and very glad it made the list, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 
One of my buddies was in Delta Tau Delta back in the day, and I believe that the Sigma Chi house was originally built as the house for Delta Tau Delta (notice the triangles on each end of the house), and there was a lot of Delt symbolism built into that house. The Delts were kicked off campus for awhile, and Sigma Chi moved in. Once the Delts returned, I believe their house was located just around the corner from Sigma Chi (and near Chi Phi as well). Several blocks off campus, as I recall.
 
I know many houses ran in cycles as different types of brothers came in the house (some cared about the house, others didn't) so I can't base my decisions on my 1983 version or else I would agree about DU. We used to call it drugs unlimited and it was a dump back then. As mentioned above I belong to #5 and very glad it made the list, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Didn't mean to diss anyone....like I said, "probably #5", mainly because other than the turret I just never thought it was that special, plus I could not think of any (active frats, at least) to replace it off the top of my head, except for the frat directly beside Rec Hall, which I don't see it on the list and it should be Top 3 (maybe it's inactive?).

I will give props to Sigma Chi for the tailgate prior to the 2014 homecoming game.....lots of nice looking legs atop that front wall!

As social chair for my frat in '86, I had an IFC card that could get me & a guest into any open frat party. We hit some of those on the list, primarily when we went out slummin'.
 
Okay, I am biased ('87 Beta), but you can't go wrong with the beautiful Beta House and on campus a block from downtown too!
 
I am guessing that the rating criteria for this list is solely on architecture and not quality of the brotherhood, i.e., party performance balanced with student performance. What houses have the best students, i.e., engineers, scientists, pre-meds, etc?
 
One of my buddies was in Delta Tau Delta back in the day, and I believe that the Sigma Chi house was originally built as the house for Delta Tau Delta (notice the triangles on each end of the house), and there was a lot of Delt symbolism built into that house. The Delts were kicked off campus for awhile, and Sigma Chi moved in. Once the Delts returned, I believe their house was located just around the corner from Sigma Chi (and near Chi Phi as well). Several blocks off campus, as I recall.
You are correct that the current Sigma Chi house used to belong to DTD. The original Sigma Chi house was on N. Burrowes next to Sigma Nu and across from Fiji. If you look along the walk way to the IS&T building you will see a marker noting where it used to stand. Anyway the foundation of that house cracked in the early 70s and it was condemned. The brothers moved to the current house where DTD had been kicked out a few years prior (late 60s). Interesting fact is that house was used as a half-way house for rehabilitating drug addicts from the 60s in between these events and most of the walls painted red or painted with interesting murals (like a Steppenwolf album cover). I thought this was a myth until I moved into the house and we decided to paint the room and the section behind the radiator (impossible to get to) was completely red.
We had a fire during our Sweetheart Formal weekend in 1984 which led to many updates like a back stairwell, emergency lighting and new wiring. The legend behind the fire is it was started by a former little sister who was ticked at not being named the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi her senior year.
 
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One of my sons is a Beta, and he reports that Beta (or, rather, a Beta alum) threw down $9 million for a recent renovation of the Chapter House. I have only seen it from the outside, but it has to be one of the nicer houses on the campus, I would think. (I'm talking about the structure only; I have no idea how the chapters themselves stack up, and that's a bit subjective anyway.)

Getting on a plane tomorrow morning to fly from San Francisco back to Pittsburgh, and then drive up to State College for Parents' Weekend. At least it is Parents' Weekend at my sons' fraternities (Beta and TDX). Wondering if anyone else here is gonna be in State College this weekend for a Parents' Weekend.

Also, I have been to the Tavern, the Allen Street Grille, and several of the other local restaurants, but I have never been inside the Nittany Lion Inn. Do they have a decent restaurant in there? Would welcome any recommendations..
 
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