We’ve all heard the frat-boy stereotypes.

Take you pick: the drunk partier, never knowing when to call it
quits; the over-aggressive young man, who, despite how nicely he
may be told, won’t accept rejection. And how could we forget the
toga-wearing, keg-carrying, “frat-for-life” individual who thinks
his Greek letters will not only advance him socially, but also aid
in his pursuits of that “hot” freshman girl.

You laugh, but these labels are universal, and shape the way
many of us view Greek organizations.

Last week, members of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity lost a
fellow brother, Brian Muth, in a car accident. As a writer for The
University News, I was assigned to interview Muth’s friends, family
and professors and compile a memorial for the SLU community.

I’ve been assigned difficult stories before–ones that left my
mind blank and pen motionless. But this assignment was, hands down,
the most challenging. This would be the last article written about
Muth.

How could I possibly do him justice?

On Monday afternoon I spoke with Kevin Shields, president of
Delta Sig and requested an interview with Muth’s closest friends.
He organized a gathering that same evening at a restaurant
off-campus.

I’ll admit I wasn’t thrilled. Here I was, the newspaper girl,
taking on a group of frat boys by myself.

As I sat with the group of guys who told several stories (some
off the record) about the friend they’d recently lost, I was amazed
by their strength and leadership during this time of tragedy.

An example, sophomore Eric Barr rushed home last Wednesday to be
with the Muth family. He comforted and cried with them. He compiled
a CD of pictures for the Muth’s, including various snapshots from
freshman year and a camping trip Barr, Muth and three friends went
on earlier this month. Barr shared several stories of Muth on
Friday nights, Muth as the ladies man and Muth as the family
man.

Barr emphasized how important it was that Muth be remembered for
his vibrancy, motivation and desire to succeed.

Barr doesn’t stand alone.

Twenty-seven members of the Delta Sig fraternity traveled four
hours last weekend to Louisville, Ky. to show their support for the
Muth family. Muth’s mother, who hadn’t met the majority of these
individuals, was taken aback by their steadfast display of
loyalty.

Those who weren’t able to crash at Barr’s house for the weekend
rented a hotel room, cramming ten guys in one room. They weren’t
there for themselves, but for everyone else who needed them.

Even as I spoke with the twenty-some individuals who met on
Monday night to share their memories of Muth with me, sophomore
Ryan Rooney sat patiently by my side, ensuring that quotes were
reported accurately and names spelled correctly.

“After the memorial mass with Fr. Barry, it was the first time I
realized this fraternity thing was really for me,” said Teddy
Campbell.

I can’t defend fraternities nationwide. I can’t even defend the
many fraternities on SLU’s campus.

I can say, however, that during this time of horrific tragedy,
the men of Delta Sig have come together in a way that should force
us all to reevaluate those long-standing “frat-tastic”
misconceptions.

Muth’s friends face a hard journey of healing, and will
undoubtedly ache in the weeks to come as the reality of his death
continues to sink in.

But after my brief encounter with this close-knit group of Delta
Sigs, I am confident that they will continue to not only show their
support for the Muth family, but for each other.

As Rooney says, “The only way you’re going to get through this
is with the guy next to you.”

Elle Hogan is a junior studying communication.