"Building A Tradition, Not Resting Upon One"

It all began in the mind of a young man by the name of Kwame Fields. A student at the University of Michigan who wanted something different, something special. The current greek organizations could not give him what he wanted. While in high school he was exposed to the Brown and Gold when he would visit his brother Bro. Craig Fields-"Captain Crunch" at the University of Cincinnati, Beta Epsilon chapter. At the time he didn't know it, but he had found what he was looking for.

Once he entered college and observed the other Black greeks, it was then that he realized that Iota is what he wanted -- but there were no chapters in Michigan. He was ultimately put in touch with the brothers at the University of Akron, Beta Pi chapter. Under the direction of Bro. Troy Lawrence-"X-ecutioner", he crossed the burning sands on March 30, 1995. He was alone on that ship called "I.S.Apocalypse" and so he was given the name "Solitaire"-the ace of spades.

It was from that day forth that his desire to bring the brotherhood of Iota to the State of Michigan began to be fullfilled. But it would not be easy. After a year long struggle with the Black Greek Association on campus, the colony was finally accepted in February of 1997. This, along with the Fraternities induction into the National Pan-Hellenic Council, marked the beggining of a booming growth period for the state of Michigan and Iota as a whole.

Soon word of the coming of Iota at the University of Michigan spread across the state eventually reaching Ferris State University. There 6 young men tried to enter the fold but only one was strong and determined enough to make it happen. Hence the line of "I.S.The Last Man Standing" came into being and Brother Clarence Hammond -"Silk" joined the brotherhood at the 1997 spring Ohio Valley Regional meeting and was the first brother made at the University of Michgan. Bro. Clarence has since set out and made Iota the most popular and visble Black Greek orgainzation on the Ferris State campus.

It wasn't long before other inquries were made into Iota and soon word had reached Michigan State University. Through the internet and word of mouth, 4 young men, John Trimble, Reginold Robertson, Kendrick Thomas, and Carleton Arrington, began their quest for Iota. And after weeks of trials and tribulations, these men crossed the buring sands into brotherhood at the 1997 fall Ohio Valley Regional meeting amongst representative brothers from the entire region. It was then that "I.S.B.A.G.I.T.U.P." came into being. These 4 brothers went on to aspire to great things at Michigan State University and becoming the second Big Ten school to enter the brotherhood of Iota Phi Theta.

The state of Michigan began to grow and grow with the newly founded colonies bringing in more men into the brotherhood. Word began to spread and, finally, a worthy brother, Sir George Drake Washington, was initiated at the University of Michigan to take over for Bro. Fields who was to graduate in May of '98. This young man became the first to cross into the University of Michigan Colony since the coming of the ship "I.S.Apocalypse" and so his ship was aptly named "I.S.The Aftermath" This lone traveler was dubbed "Mr. Enigma" because only he and his creator know what he is going to do next.

Once the smoke cleared from the I.S. Aftermath, lightning soon struck again. It was on April 27, 1998, that 3 centaurs: Mike Robinson, Kasisi Harris, and Marcus Davis successfully made their voyage into Iotaland aboard the I.S. NO LIMIT. Although this journey was indeed long and hard, it was this occurrence, which established the Brown & Gold presence on the campus of the University of Michigan. While it is clearly understood that nothing is ever promised. The dream of fraternal dominance through good works and brotherhood are one, which we all hope will soon materialize

With the Graduation of Brother Kwame Fields looming the whim, it was at one point believed that he had indeed witnessed the last growth of Iota in the state, which he founded. With all that taken into consideration, it was in many ways ironic when the heaven once again shined on the brothers of the brown and gold when the gates were opened and four more centaurs, who would later spread the message to Eastern Michigan University. The four men were Willie McNabb, Chad Hawkins, Al Hudson, and Marvin Gaynes and enter Iotaland on April 28, 1998 on ISWCWC .

Each day a new chapter in history is written. Maybe, someday, you too can be written into history.

OW! OW!