This Video Of Clemson Sig Ep’s 1971 Greek Week Showcases The Glory Days Of Fraternities

Jared Borislow10 years ago

This is, by a wide margin, the best Greek life video we’ve posted since we hit you with that immaculate 1986 Theta Chi rush video a while back. In this video, which was recorded and produced by Clemson/Sig Ep alum Dave Bowen (’71), we see Clemson’s 1971 Greek Week as it was experienced by the school’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter. It starts off at the fraternity’s house party at Lake Lure and transitions into Clemson Greek life’s awesome, would-never-fly-these-days Greek Week activities.

And it’s all to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” It doesn’t get any more vintage Greek life than this.

Check out the video below before I break it down for you like the kind and gentle soul I am.

From 0:00- 1:07, we see video from the daytime portion of Sig Ep’s house party at Lake Lure, which I assume was to celebrate the start of Greek Week. There is only evidence of the daytime portion of the bender, which is a brilliant PR move that came far ahead of its time (“its time” being the creation of modern internet). If only fraternity members these days took after Bowen’s groundbreaking technique of self-incrimination avoidance, we’d have fewer chapters shut down.

At 0:10, we get our first taste of this guy, who must be Bowen’s close friend and pledge brother from how much he shows up in the video.

At 0:14 we see the fraternity’s U-Haul, the contents of which I would pay very, very good money to see.

Look at all that damn meat on the grill at 0:23. These guys know how to throw a fucking meat party.

From 0:44-0:55, we check back in with Bowen’s boy.

Who’s drinking while walking near a waterfall. Just crushing life.

What’s more gushing, the ladies when they set their eyes upon this ’70s stud, or that waterfall behind him?

Oh fuck, he just hit ’em with the wink! There’s no doubt now — definitely the ladies.

Also, if you weren’t already sure this video was the early ’70s, the Chucks/jeans choice on our dude is here to let you know.

From 1:08 onwards, we see Clemson’s 1971 Greek Week festivities, and they’re incredible. What an amazing combination of free-spiritedness and frat. It’s like Woodstock meets the Carolina Cup, but instead of watching horses race, you get to watch pledges pull a chariot.

I mean, just look at the chariot pull from 1:08-1:35.

No chance this flies these days. Whether it would be considered hazing or appropriation of equestrian culture, this light-hearted event just doesn’t have a place in today’s Greek life. I feel like we have to be letting down the fraternity men of yesteryear, right? God they’d be so disappointed in us.

Even though they’d likely facepalm at our shenanigans, we can at least appreciate theirs. Like the Greek Week beer chugging contest that took place from 1:36-1:45

Check out the beer river dripping from Johnny Cheater’s chin. Spillage is lickage, friendo. You better have gotten down on all fours afterwards and really finished that beer, like a man.

From 1:45-2:06, we see a panoramic view that showcases the unbelievable attendance that this event drew.

And the unbelievable khaki shorts, no-shirt combo on this people’s champion.

Greek life offices talk so much about how we need more “Greek unity,” but would never let us engage in any activities, like this one, that would really foster it. You want me to get along with Sigma Nu, Mr. Barnes? Let me get shitfaced with them in a field, you fucking fascist.

Check out the frat hound at 2:06. St. Bernard, bold choice.

R.I.P. Fido.

From 2:13-2:19, we see another Greek Week event, the 5-legged race. Because 3-legged races are for pussies.

2:21, perfect time for our guy to come back! This time showing off his stunner shades.

Dude slayed/slays.

The piggyback race from 2:26-2:45 might be my favorite part of this whole video.

That event is brotherhood at its finest.

My man, back giving the camera a chuckle at 2:46.

We’ve got the tug-of-war at 2:50.

My favorite part is how the coaches are all cheering in unison for their boys on the rope. True brothers are always encouraging other brothers to be the best they can be. And are usually drinking while they do so.

3:04 ALERT! 3:04 ALERT! THIS VIDEO’S STAR IS NOW BLASTING A CIG!

And Bowen followed it up with a full-body shot, so we can see his truly inspiring froutfit.

I’m just gonna come out and say it: This man is my fraternal idol.

After a long day of drinking, a few Sig Eps decided they’d try their hand at the 5-legged race from 3:33-3:47. It starts off good…

And quickly turns into the creation of the fraternity man version of Cobble’s Knot from Maniac MaGee.

The video closes out with a nice little showcase of the Sig Ep’s lady friends.

Well done, lads.

Vintage Greek life videos are amazing on so many levels. From a historical standpoint, each one is a booze-filled lesson that helps us understand how we got from the creation of fraternities to the present day, and how much Greek life culture has changed (or stayed the same). From a personal standpoint, we get so see our brothers, or at the very least our brothers in fraternal arms, having the times of their lives, which just has a way of making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

God, take me back to fucking college. Or at least let me meet my newfound idol..

If you liked this video from the glory days of fraternities, here are some more vintage Greek life videos for you to check out:

1986 Maryland Theta Chi rush video

1986 Duke Sigma Chi beer frisbee

Do you know of any other vintage Greek life videos out there on the internet? Send them to jared@totalfratmove.com

[via Youtube]

Image via Youtube