World’s Largest Fraternity Paddle Records Special Bond

Leave it to the Class of ‘73 and Harold Force ‘73 to come up with a plan to have something special for the 150th Celebration to record each brother’s attendance. 

6’3″ Harold Force stands next to what is believed to be the world’s largest fraternity paddle.

“As the date for our sesquicentennial event crew closer,” Harold stated, “our class wondered if there might be something which could be done during the event to memorialize the names of those in attendance. Having everyone sign a proclamation parchment or scroll was one idea, but it didn’t seem sufficiently tangible to stand the test of time, especially if put on display.  It also seemed appropriate to do something which would represent a message from current alumni to our “brothers of the future”.  Just like Big Brothers make and sign a fraternity paddle as a gift to their Little Brother, having a paddle signed by every brother present would be an individual, yet all-inclusive gift, to the current and future undergraduates of Delta Delta of Sigma Chi.” 

World’s Largest Paddle

Not just any paddle, but the world’s largest fraternity paddle which stands 9’ tall, 17 ½” wide, and 1 ¾” thick.  The wood for the paddle was cut from a single slab of red oak from a tree grown in Jennings County, Indiana.  The slab was nearly two feet wide; 3” thick; and 14 feet in length.  It was sticked/stacked and air dried for several years and then reduced to a paddle shape of 17 ½” x 108” x 1 ¾” thick.  The relief graphics of the Sigma Chi Coat of Arms, the Greek Sigma Chi letters and the other lettering were laser-etched and then hand painted.  The 1” wide rawhide strap is spliced with chromed, threaded rivets.

Brothers Record Attendance

Over the course of the three day 150^th Celebration, the paddle was moved to each major event where it was signed with a permanent marker by the over 300 brothers in attendance from the Class of 1958 to the Class of 2028.  Afterward, three coats of clear shellac were applied to “fix” and protect the signatures.
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Dedication on back of paddle remembers those brothers in the Class of ’73 who have entered Chapter Eternal.

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A Class of ’73 Tribute

Harold concluded, “The message etched on the back side of the paddle is most significant to the Class of 1973, as we dedicate the paddle to the keen and loving memories of three of our class who are chapter eternal.”

The paddle will be permanently displayed in the chapter house as a perpetual reminder of the 150 years (and counting) of the special bond of brotherhood we all share.

Signatures on Paddle

Go to 150th Celebration Paddle Signatures to see a short video that shows all the signatures on the 150th paddle.  Enlarge the video to full screen to see it better.