- Tryon Coterie
Infobox Fraternity
letters= TRY-C
name = TRYON COTERIE
crest =
colors = Royal Purple and Old Gold
motto =
flower = Fleur-de-lis
mascot = Ram
founded =1947
birthplace =Baylor University
type = Social
scope = Local
address = Tryon Coterie - Phi Delta Theta One Bear Place #85601
city = Waco
state = Texas 76798
country = USA
chapters = 1, affiliated withPhi Delta Theta in1977
free_label = Nickname
free = Try-C's, The Coterie
homepage =The Tryon Coterie, founded in
1947 , was the oldest ofBaylor University ’s men’s social clubs. Try-C affiliated withPhi Delta Theta in 1977 it is now the Texas Lambda chapter ofPhi Delta Theta . The chapter models itself as Phi Delta Theta - The Tryon Coterie. The Try-C’s started Sing!, Chili Cook-off, and off campus "illegal" dances among other things. The fraternity founded the Great Gloomy Gathering tradition of members wearing basic tuxedos, and dates wearing black gowns to a formal ball held in New Orleans at the Le Pavillon Hotel, and Houmas HousePlantation , to "mourn" the start of finals. The fraternity also regularly hosts its "Spring Fling" atHorseshoe Bay, Texas Country Club.The current chapter of
Phi Delta Theta - the Tryon Coterie is the only on campus chapter to have its own endowed scholarship fund for its own members.Not much is known about the traditions or secrets of the Tryon Coterie but they are supposedly still practiced within the current
Baylor Chapter ofPhi Delta Theta . The fraternity is also reported to have a large endowment trust fund, very strong alumni backing, and a secret hunting lodge for former and current member retreats.History
The Tryon Coterie was named after one of
Baylor University 's three founders,Reverend William Milton Tryon . A minister in theSouthern Baptist Convention , and Confederate chaplain. The word Coterie was chosen as it represents a "Gathering of Friends".Try-C started the "Great Gloomy Gathering"- so-named because it was held the weekend before Fall finals began. Formal black was worn and black flowers given. Tryon Coterie made banners & run throughs for the BU football team. Tryon Coterie also hosted the annual freshman tea each fall.
In 1974-75 Try-C won the Class C division with their float when BU played
Texas A&M University atHomecoming . In '75-'76, Try-C captured 1st place with their float in the Class A division. They participated inAll-University Sing , a Baylor tradition, and received 4th place that year. Try-C also won the University Championship intennis &softball that year.In '76-'77 Try-C converted to
Phi Delta Theta , as many of the fraternities began to transfer from Local to National names. That year their float received the Honor Award in Class A division. Tryon Coterie, now also called Phi Delta Theta, continued to make the run throughs for the Football team.In '77-'78 Phi Delta Theta won 1st place in football intramurals and with their Class A float. In spring they won 2nd place in softball intramurals and placed 8th in Sing. They held several mixers that year with Alpha Omega (now
Pi Beta Phi ) and Athenians (nowKappa Kappa Gamma ). The fraternity chapter to this day models itself asPhi Delta Theta - The Tryon Coterie , making it unique among Phi Delt chapters nationwide.Famous Baylor TRY-C/Phi Delt Alumni
Texas Lambda Alumni have donated extensively to Baylor. Many landmark buildings are named after the clubs alumni, including Clifton Robinson Tower, Turner Athletic Complex, and the Ferrell Center. The following are Tryon Coterie's alums.
Jim Turner '69 CEO of
Dr Pepper and current Chair of the Baylor Board of RegentsMark Hurd '77 CEO and Chairman ofHewlett Packard Governor
Mark White '56Texas Governor Clifton Robinson '54 CEO of
National Insurance Trey Wingo '85ESPN Anchor Max Sandlin '75 Congressman representingTexas's 1st congressional district ee also
*
Baylor University Official Websites
* [http://www.baylor.edu/ Baylor University]
* [https://www3.baylor.edu/phideltatheta/ Baylor Chapter Website]External Historical Links
* [http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=18263 The Lariat Online]
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