Cavaliers Iota Omicron Chapter - Tau Kappa Epsilon

History

50-YEAR TIMELINE

1960s

  • 1960, Spring Semester: The Cavaliers are founded by 14 men with the express purpose of bringing Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity to Wisconsin State University at Whitewater campus.
  • 1963, May 18 & 19: The Cavaliers are installed as Iota-Omicron chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, initiating 93 men into the bond. This was the largest group ever installed as a chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon National Fraternity.
  • 1964, July 25: The chapter and the Board of “Control” breaks ground for a new house to be built on land near the university. The unusual 50-man house was to be constructed of steel, stone, concrete and cedar. The entire project was financed by local developer Hollis U. Two. Frater Jim Kane, then Tau Kappa Epsilon’s Midwest housing coordinator, comes on the scene to help coordinate the project. A year after, the project was proposed, started and then ended, because of sketchy designs and financing problems.
  • 1968, Spring Break: John Gabbey gets the first TKE crest tattoo in New Orleans.A few weeks after he returns, several Fraters drive to Lake Geneva to Greg’s Tattoo Parlor to start the tradition.
  • 1969, July 3: Iota-Omicron Fraters purchase an eight family apartment building at 1238 W. Main St. on a land contract from C. Edward Ward. The down payment was financed by members selling bonds to family and friends. Frater Lou Aguilera negotiated the deal, which was to be one of the best fraternity houses in the state.

1970s

  • 1970, Fall Semester: The chapter is kicked out of IFC (Interfraternity Council) for accepting first semester freshmen as pledges. It was front-page news in the Royal Purple.  Twenty-five men are initiated into the bond of Tau Kappa Epsilon in December 1970.
  • 1972, Frater Mike Tom Tomsyck (nicknamed “Copernicus” by his Hegemon) decides to leave a legacy for future Fraters and has a plaque made with all Fraters with tattoos.  He named the plaque, “Copernicus Crest Club” (CCC).  “CCC” officially begins.
  • 1973: After working as a Chapter Services Director for Tau Kappa Epsilon National for five years, Iota-Omicron charter member, TJ Schmitz is appointed CEO of Tau Kappa Epsilon National Fraternity.  Frater Schmitz serves the fraternity as CEO for 20 years.
  • 1973, Fall: Frater Jim Kane urges Iota-Omicron Tekes to help re-colonize Lambda chapter at UW-Madison. Members make several trips to Madison to rush students at events and bars.  Working with transfer Teke, Fritz Jacobi, Lambda is successfully re-colonized with Iota Omicron as the installing chapter in December 1974.

1980s

  • 1984, August: After serving as a Grand Officer for several years, Iota-Omicron Frater Joel Johnson is elected Grand Prytanis at the 43rd conclave in Orlando, FL.
  • 1986: After a 10-year hiatus, the Copernicus Crest Club (CCC) was restarted when Frater Rob Benes was tattooed with CCC #25 in Lake Geneva, using the same tattoo stencil used by earlier Fraters. Chapter Advisor, Father Jim Posnaski, paid for the tattoo, which cost $100. (Present day note: The CCC now has more than 100 members.)

1990s

  • 1996, February 29: A fire broke out at 4:25 a.m. at the house and gutted most of the 2nd floor. A new Board of Advisors was formed by Fraters Jon and Joe Pyzyk, John Weiss, Ron Risken and Bill Stogsdill to begin reconstruction of the house. The building was underinsured, needed new building code upgrades and rehabilitation. The Board of Advisors had to borrow an additional $125,000, besides the insurance settlement, to reconstruct the building and bring up to code.
  • 1997, February 1: Iota-Omicron Fraters moved back into their newly reconstructed house. Jon Pyzyk’s property management company takes over all financials of the house. Local realtor Hank Kinson begins local management of the house.

2000s

  • 2002-2007: Chapter membership continues to decline, despite efforts by volunteer TKE National advisors and chapter Board of Advisors. Vacancies in the house push the housing corporation finances in arrears. Frater Jon Pyzyk’s company continues to advance funds to keep the house afloat.
  • 2007, November 12: Fire breaks out, again, at 3:00 a.m. at the house and completely guts Apt. #4. There is severe smoke and water damage throughout the house. Board of Advisors hires a restoration contractor from Milwaukee, with restoration work beginning in late January 2008. The building was adequately insured for full replacement value.
  • 2008, Spring: The Chapter violates university alcohol rules and faces another suspension from campus. TKE National, Iota-Omicron Board of Advisors and the university agree to close down the chapter till no earlier than August 2011.
  • 2008, August: House restoration is completed. The insurance settlement is $688,000.  All official Tau Kappa Epsilon signs and placards are removed and the building is renamed appropriately “The Cavalier House.”
  • 2009, April: The House is 100% leased as off-campus housing and remains till the present day.

2010s – Present

  • 2012, January: An active Board of Advisors is re-formed to help maintain the house and re-colonize the chapter. Work soon begins to remodel the chapter room and bathrooms in the basement.
  • 2012, February: After more than six months of negotiation and compliance with new Federal borrowing guidelines and a guarantee from TKE National, Frater Joe Pyzyk refinances the house with First Citizens Bank in Whitewater (no other bank was interested in the loan). Subsequent with the refinancing, the appraisal of the building allowed for lower real estate taxes and casualty insurance.
  • 2012, Summer: TKE National begins recruitment on campus. The Board of Advisors has a water softener installed in the house. Many workday and Saturdays are done by alumni to remodel the chapter room and work on landscaping and exterior of the house. Frater Mark Isch retrofits Jon Pyzyk’s TKE trailer for use in the homecoming parade.
  • 2012, October 20: Homecoming is a resounding success. The largest turnout of Iota- Omicron alumni in memory, celebrates on a warm autumn day at the house. Undergraduates and alumni march down Main Street in the homecoming parade.
  • 2013, February: Seven new Iota-Omicron members and three Board of advisors attend Tau Kappa Epsilon’s Regional Leadership conference in Chicago. Four members are formally initiated into our bond at the conference ritual.
  • 2013, May 17and 18:  Iota-Omicron Fraters with wives and friends celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the chapter at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, WI, exactly 50 years from its founding.