Sigma Triton Chapter History

Founded May 1, 1949

Indiana University

Bloomington, Indiana

The Sigma Triton Chapter has had a strong history at Indiana University. Throughout the 1950’s and 60’s, Sigma Triton flourished on Indiana’s campus. The chapter first lived on East Second Street near the Wylie House.  In the early 60's, the first chapter house was erected at 1100 North Jordan Avenue thru the Indiana Plan.  Phi Sigs were well respected at Indiana University. In 1972, Sigma Triton could no longer endure financial hardships.  The chapter was forced to close its doors.  Indiana University took the house back because the chapter had defaulted on its agreement per the Indiana Plan.  (The university later sold the house to Delta Chi Fraternity who lived there until spring of 2003 and the property is now occupied by Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.)  Sigma Triton received its second charter in 1992.  The time period between 1992 and 1999 saw little growth. The men of the nineties were faced with many hardships including a decline in the interest for Greek life at Indiana University.  The brothers of the nineties were never able to build or purchase a chapter house.  With low membership and a dorm as its residence, Sigma Triton saw its doors close yet a second time in 1999. 

In December of 2001, Sigma Triton received its third charter.  The brothers met in the Indiana Memorial Union for Chapter Meetings and Initiation.  Their intentions were laudable and their goals were achievable.  They set out to bring the Phi Sigma Kappa ideals of brotherhood, scholarship and character back to Indiana University.  They saw a chance to be a part of a brotherhood that valued education, encouraged morality, and flourished in a social atmosphere.  Their dreams became a reality in the fall of 2002.  That year saw the Sigma Triton sharing a chapter house with Phi Kappa Sigma at 1500 North Jordan Avenue.  The following year, the house was solely occupied by Phi Sigs.  Sigma Triton relocated to the original chapter house at 1100 North Jordan in the fall of 2004.  Once again the Phi Sigs were looking for a residency under extreme pressure and amidst a lot of uncertainty.  The chapter prevailed and found another temporary residency.  In the fall of 2005, Sigma Triton moved into the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity house at 1215 North Jordan.  Phi Delta Theta returned to their chapter house in the fall of 2008. The Phi Sigs again secured residency at Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity house located at 1412 North Jordan.  The chapter currently resides at 1412 North Jordan. The Grand Chapter, International Headquarters, and the Phi Sigma Kappa Properties Board have teamed up with Sigma Triton Corporation and its alumni brothers to find a permanent residence.

The recent chartering of the chapter has seen a lot of success!  The Grand Council of Phi Sigma Kappa named the chapter the Most Improved Chapter (2004) recognizing the outstanding hard work the brothers had done.  The chapter has been awarded the Herbert L. Brown Chapter of the Year Award the past 5 years (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) for excellence and success.  Over the years, the chapter has also been recognized by Indiana University’s Inter-Fraternity Council for positive relations, outstanding leadership, and overall success.  Brother Brennan J. Boland (former President) won the IFC President of the Year award in 2005.  The chapter continues to rank in the top 10 for gpa amongst all fraternities, continues to recruit quality new members, and continues to have outstanding participation in philanthropy.  The brotherhood is involved in all aspects of campus life and has become a reliable source of community service to the people of Bloomington.  They continue to support IUDM (supporting Riley Children's Hospital), BMOC (supporting Breast Cancer Research), Habitat For Humanity, and many other charitable organizations.  The chapter's annual philanthropy raises thousands of dollars and awareness fo the Special Olympics.