Gamma Chi Alum Chick Hernandez ’86 answers our questions and shares his thoughts and memories from his days with Sigma Chi.
- What is your best memory from your Sigma Chi days?
I was elected athletic chairman my junior year, and to this day Sigma Chi is the only fraternity that had two teams EX Gold & EX Blue face each other in the intramural finals. I played on one team and coached the other. I shaved EX into my head which was revealed on game night. It was a great night of brotherhood and demonstrated our athletic dominance in the Greek system. My other favorite memory was Greek week and my fellow brothers Brian Kennedy and Brian Wendell Morton performed a lip-sync contest that is still talked about 33 years later. We did it to the song “The Bird” by Morris Day & The Time.
- How do you benefit from the fraternity experience as an Alum?
I was generally a shy guy even though I was a class clown. I had difficulty conversing with adults, I would almost stutter I talked so fast. When I was elected Athletic Chairman I knew I had to have a plan and be able to communicate it, especially every Monday night at chapter meeting. I gained a tremendous amount of confidence during that time, enough that allowed me to go up to the radio station on campus and audition for the position of Sports Director. I earned the position, and that would eventually turn into my career as a television sportscaster. I became the longest tenured sportscaster in the Washington DC market. It has allowed to me lead a blessed life and raise my kids right here where I and my wife grew up.
- What is your advice for today’s active Brothers?
It’s quite simple, get involved in the house. Just hang out physically in the house and good things will happen. Build friendships and network for the future. We all look out for each other.
- Did you land a job thanks to Sigma Chi networking? Or have you made other fraternity connections through your career? Share the story of how your membership in Sigma Chi has benefited you in your professional life.
See my answer to #2.
- What do you think is more important when it comes to career success; being prepared or being willing to take risks?
Wow, great question. Well, I think being prepared is number one. You should never go into something without being prepared, but being prepared can help you assess the risk factor. I definitely think risk taking is necessary though to move forward and get to where you’d like to go.
- Why did you join Sigma Chi? Share your reasons for pledging as an undergrad, and how your membership still has a positive impact on your life today.
I joined Sigma Chi because I was searching for something I didn’t know I wanted. I went to an intramural championship football game involving EX and I was hooked. I saw the entire brotherhood in action which also involved a couple of my friends from high school and the rest is history. The fraternity still impacts me today because I see we still have a strong bond. When when of our own faces tough times, we come together to lend our support without thinking about it. We are brother there for each other and their families, as it should be.
- What is your favorite/most memorable Sigma Chi tradition?
Most memorable, the white rose ceremony during the funerals of our fallen brothers. It’s not my favorite, but it’s certainly most memorable. It brings chills to all involved and those who are outside our circle when they realize what it means.
- If you could go back to re-live any single moment from your fraternity days, what would it be and why?
I’d love to go back to Greek Week and perform “The Bird” one more time. That performance ended on such a high with the entire Greek System on hand watching and cheering afterwards. There was no doubt as to who won the competition and nearly every party after that for the next year we were asked to recreate it.
- How would your life be different today if you had never joined Sigma Chi?
Boy, I’m glad I NEVER have to think about that. I have no earthly idea what would’ve happened. If I don’t gain confidence then maybe I don’t go to the college radio station, and who knows what does or doesn’t happen after that.
- What did Sigma Chi teach you about leadership?
The house taught me to communicate, listen, and be open to ideas from all sides, even from brothers you may or may not like the most. It taught me that you can’t lead if you don’t have the trust, so how do you gain that trust? Be honest and let them know where you stand.
- Are you married? Kids? Any new or current career plans or goals?
I am married for the last 23 years. I have three kids, one of whom is a senior at my Alma Mater. My career plans after a couple years of semi-retirement is to hit the ground running and do some things professionally that will challenge me. Primarily, I’d like to get back to my play by play routes in football and hoops.
- What would you like to see more of from Sigma Chi as an alum?
I’d like to see a few more events at the house. We only get invited to major events it feels like so more opportunity to meet and hang with the current brothers.