Damn Glad to Have You

A glimpse at the paddle signature, circa 1994, courtesy Joe Rinaldi '97. This simple piece of paper witnessed many of the indignities that befall most sheets designated for such assignment: discoloration; stains; burn marks; scotch tape holding the whole thing together. According to Joe, the big hole at the bottom is the result of Mike Relyea dipping it in beer and drinking it. Proud to be a Kappa Sigma Pledge.

The best part of any good paddle is the cryptic prefix that brothers provide along with their signature. Like that unpronounceable symbol that Prince used as his name around the same time, these prefixes were a means of asserting individuality, while making absolutely zero sense to the rest of the world. A sampling:

• "12" F3"
• "1025"
• "5-8-77"
• "46-10"
• "LAX"
  
• "NAKED"
• "Stress"
• "No F*cking Clowns"
  

I wonder if anyone still remembers what these prefixes mean. Or, who knows, maybe some guys still use them today. Would banks even accept a check that said "No F*cking Clowns" at the bottom?