TDX Celebrates 150 Years at Dartmouth College
Last weekend over 400 alumni and their spouses gathered at “The Lodge” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Dartmouth charge of Theta Delta Chi. Long associated with Dartmouth football, celebrations began Friday night with the TDX alumni enthusiastically cheering on Big Green football to a dominating victory over Columbia 59–24. Former TDX football players who played on Big Green Ivy Championship teams received special recognition at half-time for their contributions to Dartmouth football. Reflecting Theta Delt’s continued association with Dartmouth athletics, alumni showed up in force to witness Dartmouth Men’s Rugby crush Yale 120–7.
Headlining the weekends’ events was Texas Outlaw country music icon, Jerry Jeff Walker. Jerry Jeff, writer of “Mr. Bojangles,” has had a long history with TDX and Dartmouth — first appearing on Dartmouth’s campus in 1977 to play a concert in the Hop. He established himself as a TDX legend when after the concert and a night of heavy drinking, he stumbled into the basement of Theta Delta Chi sometime around 2 in the morning (a time honored TDX tradition). Around four in the morning — having run out of alcohol — Jerry Jeff and several TDX members ventured to Fraternity Row in the hopes of continuing the night. While walking that direction, they passed Russel Sage Hall. Jerry Jeff, carrying an empty bottle of turkey liquor, heaved the handle through a window of Russel Sage. Having enjoyed his first Dartmouth experience, Jerry Jeff would return to Dartmouth and “The Lodge” several times in the 80’s and 90’s to play concerts and enjoy Dartmouth’s basement scene. Thus, despite being 77 years old and just recovering from throat cancer, Walker returned to play an hour and a half set of his favorite folk and country hits — with current TDX brothers and alumni happily singing along.
Over the last 150 years, TDX has left an enduring legacy as a permanent fixture on Dartmouth’s campus and home away from home for many alumni. In its early years, Theta Delta Chi has been remembered for being the social club of poet Robert Frost and sending hundreds of brothers to serve in the United States military during WW1 and WW2. While the fraternity may have fallen in terms of literary prestige, the brothers of TDX have continued to respect the sacrifice of our armed forces, welcoming veterans into the brotherhood and having some brothers serving in the military after graduating from Dartmouth. In more recent years, Theta Delta Chi has been associated with Dartmouth athletics: first football in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s and more recently lacrosse and rugby.
Beyond the fraternity’s association with athletics or literature, the fondness and loyalty of TDX alumni for Dartmouth and The Lodge indicates the major role TDX played in alumni’s lives. While I helped with registration for 150th celebration, I was struck by the comments of some TDX alumni encouraging members of the ’22 rush class to value and cherish our time at Dartmouth. Many alumni insisted that some of the happiest moments of their lives occurred as Theta Delts at Dartmouth. This talk is not all simple reminiscence and nostalgia. From the generous actions of many TDX alumni, whether it be coaching for Dartmouth sports teams or donating new buildings, it’s clear that the TDX alumni truly do cherish Dartmouth and “The Lodge.”
Lest the old traditions fail, here’s to 150 years of Lodge Boy’s and to 150 more!
