Stick Shift

Stick Shift

Did you know that we are down to only 7 automakers left that offer a manual transmission in the upcoming 2021 model auto season? This means that the art of learning how to drive using a “stick shift” is going to disappear into the near future. Do you have a story of your first experience with a stick shift? (Share your “stick shift” story below on comments)

It felt like forever getting out of our driveway. I stopped counting the times I stalled the engine by releasing the clutch too fast and stalling the engine. I was embarrassed. “Jumping” the VW into a stall was making me frustrated and mad.

Around the 10th time of stalling my VW, my dad said, “ Ok son, I need you to Stop. Allow yourself to hear and feel the sound of the clutch and engine exchange and relax your foot. You need the clutch to cause the pause for the engine to engage into the next gear”
This time I listened.

Such simple wisdom made all difference getting out of the driveway and onto the road…

You need the clutch to cause the pause for the engine to engage into the next gear.

Like these words of wisdom, our Fraternity is going through a “Stick Shift” situation where I need to communicate to all of us the need for a “Clutch to cause the pause for the engine to engage into the next gear…. Our future. The Future of DU.”

Time to En-gauge

The theme for this newsletter is to get more Alumni informed and involved on what is happening with DU on the Campus of San Diego State.

Let these facts speak for themselves:

• Chapter House was sold in November 2019
• We netted just under $1M in the sale
• The money is locked up, we have 4 years to purchase a new house
• Relocated across the street to Fraternity Row Fall 2020
• All leases are with Chapter Members and SDSU
• DU No longer in the Property Management Business
• COVID-19 Outbreaks on Campus Fall 2020
• Rush Week went “online”
• Only 130 Students on campus applied for RUSH
• DU recruited 10, sent 6 bids (Quality over Quantity)
• Currently 2nd HIGHEST GPA on Campus
• Focusing on Building Better Men Program
• Alumni Mentorship Needed

As you can see from the above bullet points, we dodged a bullet but have our work cut out for us as alumni. It is my responsibility as Alumni President to communicate the sense of urgency in getting as many ducks involved with a purpose to help our chapter house thrive through this adversity…

I must find a way to communicate “The WHY” to all of you. We have a story to tell about Delta Upsilon. Our history, our experiences on campus and what DU means to you…

Q: WHY should you get involved in DU Alumni now?

A: To reconnect with your brothers, network & participate in scheduled events and give back by mentoring the chapter members in the Building Better Men Program.

Here’s HOW to get started. Read more.

Our Website, Our Newsletter, Your Connection

Our Website:

We have invested time and resources into updating our website, DuckTalk.org. The purpose of these updates is to keep up with the latest technology and platforms to communicate. Please take the time to look at the website and follow these steps:

• Go to: DuckTalk.org
• Click on upper right corner, “Log in”
• If you do not have a username / password, register
• Update your profile with current information (email, phone number, photo)

You can also email your updated contact info to info@sdsuducks.com. Alternatively, you can also email your information to Vince Ferraro, Alumni Relations Board Advisor at vincelferraro@gmail.com. We are trying to keep our Alumni connected and updated and your participation matters.

You will only receive emails for newsletter updates. We will not solicit you, nor will the information be shared to any third party.

Our Newsletter:

The purpose of our quarterly newsletter is to keep our Alumni updated on the chapter house, re-connect with fellow alumni and announce upcoming events and activities. Our goal is to encourage your involvement and create the momentum into our “building better men” program with our chapter at San Diego State. Getting started is a simple as sending an email inquiring about a variety of mentorship programs. Learn more by sending an email to : info@DuckTalk.org and let’s talk “duck”.

Your Connection:

This year our entire work environment changed. COVID-19 has brought the workplace home and remote connecting with is now done through ZOOM. Our Alumni Board has followed the same practice and we have opened our board membership and chair positions for new members that live outside of San Diego County.

The meetings are every two months and it is a great way to reconnect.

Our recent chair additions are Maurice “Mo” Saldebar in Pasadena, John “Gunner” Gunning in Manhattan Beach and Joe “Landshark” Landstrom in Las Vegas. These men are helping our Board with sharing new ideas and getting more participation from our DU Alumni. If you are interested in learning more about our Board or Chair, please send me an email to: info@DuckTalk.org and let’s talk.

“Nick Name” That Pledge!

In effort to kick start our Alumni interaction this year, we have created a contest called: “Nick Name that Pledge”. We have 5 new members of the fall 2020 pledge class that have agreed to allow an Alumni to honor them with their DU nickname. We have requested a minimum bid of $50. The highest bid by an Alumni will be “matched” by the Board to be applied toward the Chapter House Scholarship Fund. Post your nickname in the comment section below each pledge and a winner will be announced on our Facebook Page and posted on our next newsletter.

For Example,
Alumni- Steve W, Pledge #1, Nickname: “Brown Helmet”, Bid: $100 – Winner $100. Alumni will match the winning bid and donate another $100 to Scholarship Fund.

See Videos below and start your bidding.
More Chapter / Alumni events are posted on our Facebook Page.