Sigma Chi Derby Days began at Fresno State in 1966 when Gary Renner (62-S) proposed starting it at an Inter-Fraternity Council meeting, and it has been a tradition ever since. Joe Pressutti (64-F) was the first Derby Daddy.

Contributed by Gary Renner – Yes, Joe was the first Derby Daddy. Once I got Derby Day approved, I worked on details of Derby Day but asked Joe if he would be the Derby Daddy and he agreed. Joe and I planned out what we wanted to do and where. Then I did the behind the scenes organizing, as well as working with the university administration to make sure we had approvals for all we wanted to do. And Joe worked with the sororities – he got the tough duty, ha!