Congratulations ΑΣΦ!
We will physically Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage in the fire pit in the Old Gal’s back yard at Homecoming October 2nd & 3rd 2026. In addition, we will open the time capsule we put in The House in 2016 that is to be opened when we pay off the mortgage. When we built the Darling Street Old Gal, we did not think that it would be paid off in just ten years!
We expect this Homecoming’s attendance to be in the range of the 2012 event which had 85 Brothers attend. (Picture below is the 2016 Homecoming when officially opened the current “Old Gal”.) Yes, bring your coat and tie!
As Chaiman of the “Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage Campaign”, I would like to thank Brother Paul Ruegamer #913, President of the ΑΣΦ Beta Omicron House Corporation, for his leadership in managing our alumni community in an environment that encourages participation and promotes organizational development that allows our Brotherhood to flourish. In the 2023 Homecoming Alumni Association’s Yearly Meeting , I was initially taken back when he announced that the goal of this fundraising effort, which I had volunteered to head, was to retire the Old Gal’s $220,000 outstanding mortgage. Upon reflection, I quickly decided I liked the ring of “Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage”. WE DID IT!
As Chairman would like to thank our first and last campaign donors, Brother Skip Bryan #665 and his wife Carol Bryan, the “Sweetheart of the Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage Campaign”. They provided three significant donations, with the second in November of 2025 written from Carol’s retirement account. She was on almost every call I had with Skip. Skip decided right after he made his first donation to join our Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage Campaign’s three-person calling committee. The Chapter thanks you, Skip and Carol!!
Next, I’d like to recognize Brother Mike Galiyano #757, who made two very substantial donations. Mike loves ΑΣΦ and his father was an Alpha Sig at Tri-State. Mike was the first to donate right after the Campaign was announced at the Alumni Association Board meeting at Homecoming 2024 and he was the second to last to donate in January 2026, which put us in range such that the Bryan family was able to successfully close the Campaign. Mike, thank you so much, I think your father is smiling.
The other very dedicated member of the Burn the Mortgage Campaign Committee is Brother Froggy (Mark) Stone #882. He helped secure numerous donations from across many eras of Brothers. Thank you, Froggy, for your efforts and dedication to the Campaign.
We also need to thank Brother Lenny Duff #975 for his dedicated work as House Corporation Treasurer in organizing the donation systems and keeping track of about 90 donations from 72 Brothers. He provided timely donation status reports, and he paid down the loan principle at least monthly to minimize interest charges.
I would also like to recognize the nine other ΑΣΦ donors who really stepped up with significant contributions. Brothers: Tux (John) Anderson #864, Larry Thomas #695, Carl Hall #1163, Rick Tegan # 682, Niko Barrantes #1185, Darry Shoff #750, Bob Thomas #853, Rufus (Jeff) Jackson #811 and Terry Carter #604. We thank all of you for making the Burning the Mortgage campaign a great success and for providing a secure financial future for our Chapter at Trine! Thank you all for your generosity.
Finally, we all need to thank the SIXTY some Alpha Sig Brothers that donated around our suggested “ask” of 1% or $2,200 and to those that gave $20. It all counted … and every dollar helped those of us making the calls, to make the next call. Thank you so much. WE DID IT! ALL OF US!
We raised $220,000 by February 2026 to Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage and pay the Old Gal mortgage off in just 10 years!
Now, even if you did not donate, you DO have an obligation as a loyal Alpha Sig to help us CELEBRATE😊
Plan Now to Attend Homecoming 2026, October 1st, 2nd & 3rd
and to Be There as We Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage 😊
Don’t Miss This one!
OddBall # 840
Tom Alspaugh
Chairman
Burn the Old Gal’s Mortgage Campagne