The Nashville Pride Newspaper is fortunate to have the services of two outstanding gentlemen who regularly contribute to our newspaper. We are proud to salute them on the occasion of their fraternity reunion, during TSU Homecoming weekend. The two pledged the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity together, along with 20 other young men, in 1973 at the Alpha Theta chapter of Tennessee State University.
William T. Robinson, Jr. has written an informative, insightful, and thought-provoking column each week for the Pride for over a decade. He primarily examines issues impacting African-Americans, with a particular focus on youth and Black men.
Cass F. L. Teague, Jr. has been a staff columnist and photojournalist for the Pride since 2005, covering art, music, science, sports, entertainment, education, health, politics, geek life, etc.. you name it he’ll cover it!
This year the Coldblooded 22 will gather to celebrate and reminisce about the half-century since they pledged themselves to commit to the ideals and purposes of their Noble Brotherhood. Please take the time to read the entire full-length version of William T. Robinson’s column this week about his experience, elsewhere in this edition and on the official Pride website. Here are some observations by Cass Teague on his:
The spring of 1973 found several dozen male TSU students — mostly freshmen — unite in a discontinued format which was allowed back then called an Interest Group or MIK (men interested in Kappa) Club as “The Stars of the Yard.” We got acquainted, fellowshipped, held parties and picnics, studied together, and came together as a tight-knit group. For the most part, we were the core of the men inducted into the Scroller Club of 1973 in October, the official pledge class of the chapter.
After four long weeks of grueling, long days and nights of ‘orientation’ — intensive orientation — we young men embarked on “Hell Week.” Those of us who survived the ordeal, particularly ‘Turn Back Night,’ finally crossed the Burning Sands (literally for us, I might add) to join the ranks of our Noble Brotherhood just before a very welcome Thanksgiving weekend.
Along the way, the Scroller Club entertained the campus with a formal Presentation program and a dazzling performance in the Fall Greek Show. Each involved singing, choreographed dancing, stepping, and Kappa Kanes. Let’s just say practices for these were at least as ‘intense’ as for football or the Aristocrat of Bands, as some of our line brothers were also members of the marching band while pledging, notably Everard Thompson, Stanford Wilson, and the late Everett Rucker.
Following that, we Neophytes rejoined the ranks of our fellow students, serving in leadership capacities on campus, in the local community, regionally, and nationwide. In 1974, at the first Fraternity Konklave after we crossed, in Las Vegas, three of the Coldblooded 22, all native Nashvillians, were distinguished by being elected National Officers. Likely for the first (and last) time since the 10 Founders, three members from one chapter from the same line and from the same hometown held 60% of the undergraduate leadership of the fraternity! It was indeed a glorious time in the chapter’s history as Cass Teague (Grand Strategus), Dewayne Armstrong (Grand Lieutenant Strategus), and William Robinson (Grand Board of Directors) served from 1974 through the subsequent Konklave in New Orleans in 1976.
No wonder the saying “Alpha Theta, None Greater” has become iconic throughout the Brotherhood. Happy Golden Anniversary to The Coldblooded 22 of the Alpha Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
