On April 24, 2024 the wine committee met at the home of John Ballinger (66-S) to discuss last-minute details. Committee member Rob Bell (95-F) contacted Ryan DeYoung (00-S – UCSD), and asked if he would make a donation to the silent auction. Ryan graciously did, but Rob was out of town the night of the meeting, so Ryan’s wine was picked up by Brandon Cohrs (98-F) who delivered it to John’s just before the meeting. Besides enjoying talking to Brandon, we got to meet his young son. For the meeting we were joined by Gary Mooshagian (85-S) who brought his really cool woody.
Gary Mooshagian’s Woody
Three days later on the 27th we held the tasting for the third time at Susan and John Ballinger’s park-like back yard. We had 94 people registered including these 52 brothers:
Tony Flores (56-S), Dante Simi (58-F), Elwood Enns (60-F), Warren Williams (61-S), Tom Downing (62-F), Jerry Waters (62-F), Mike Patton (63-S), Bill Matesso (63-F), Rob Crossland (64-S), John Ballinger (65-S), Ken Blom (66-S), Jack Tacchino (66-S), Don Witzansky (67-S), Rich Barsanti (67-F), John Garcia (67-F), John Marinovich (68-S), Tom Beggs (68-F), Mike Elliott (68-F), Jim Norquist (69-F), Dave Reuland (69-F), Mark Scott (69-F), Larry Calvino (69-S), Bob Koligian (69-F), Dennis Schmal (69-F), Tom Licouris (70-F), Bill Robinson (70-F), Bill Arnold (72-S), Bill Smittcamp (73-S), Serge Tomassian (74-F), Keven Wren (74-F), Mike Chooljian (77-F), Richard Egan (77-F), Bruce Berger (78-S), Brad Fischer (78-S), Steve Coleman (78-F), Harvey Singh (78-F), Bill Van Skike (78-F), Jon Hollenbeck (79-F), T.A. Heckel (82-F), Joel Armstrong (87-F), Sergio Ilic (87-F), Matt Stevens (90-S), Mark Springer (09-F), Derrick Lacy (10-F), Austin Helman (15-S), Michael Alexander (23-F), Seth Karagosian (22-F), Tito Gomez (22-F), Caden Shows (22-F), Jake McCreedy (23-F), William Ventura (23-F) and Julian Rocha (24-S).
Again this year brother Tom Kusaka (79-F) provided the funds to “comp” six undergraduate brothers giving them an opportunity to enjoy the event. They also were totally invaluable to the event as they manned the entrance table and greeted the alumni and guests.
L-R William Ventura, Jake McCreedy, Tito Gomez, Michael Alexander, Caden Shows and Seth Karagosian
T.A. Heckel (82-F) provided wines from his private wine cellar, and we snacked on some great cheeses, olives and sandwiches from Sam’s Italian Deli and Market. A fun day was had by all, especially Bruce Berger (78-S) who won the Grand Prize at the end of the raffle.
Chris & Jonna Turner help T.A. Pour Wine Each Year
Significant Sig Mike Gallo (70-F) was not able to attend the wine tasting, but he donated lots of his award-winning Joseph Farms cheese and olive oil they only make for their family. Brother Kenny Jelacich (70-F) arranged to have the donations delivered to Fresno by currier. The items were offered on the online-auction, and all eight were purchased by wine committee members prior to the event.
Award-Winning Joseph Farms Cheese
Besides having fun and enjoying the brotherhood, the event earned $40,711 for the Fresno Sigma Chi Endowment. We are told that our endowment is unique in the Greek world, and we will be able to award a total of $52,000 to our undergraduate brothers for the 2024/2025 school year.
Thanks to all who participated including our undergraduate brothers, alumni, guests and the wine committee who are part of the most fun committee in all of Sigma Chi.