"Frat games" hope to inspire college dreams of African Americans

Inglewood City Councilman Daniel Tabor is a big fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but as Matt Kemp and James Loney took on the Florida Marlins at Chavez Ravine on Sunday afternoon, Tabor was concentrating on a different diamond.

Each Sunday since July 5, Tabor has been hosting and playing in the “Frat Games” at Darby Park in Inglewood, where alumni from four historically black fraternities challenge each other to games of softball in hopes of inspiring young African Americans to go to college and at the same time rekindling the alumni’s old bonds.

“Black fraternities and sororities were founded by black college students who sought to give the black man or woman who were fortunate to be attending a college or university in the early 1900’s a place to belong and a support network based on the ideals of academic excellence and leadership and responsibility,” Tabor said.

Tabor said hundreds of people watch the games each Sunday and eat at the snack bar while listening to a DJ call the plays and spin music. Alumni from each of the four fraternities make up the teams: Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Phi Beta Sigma.

This year’s championship will be Aug. 23.

Tabor said the league has been an on-and-off in tradition in Southern California, dating back to at least the mid-1970s.

“I am an old hand, having first played in these games in 1975 to 1978. Now my six grandchildren come and watch grandpa hang with the 20- and 30-somethings,” Tabor said. “While my body seems to resent the physical play, my mind and spirit are energized by the bond of fraternity and the spirit of common experiences and goals shared by these college-educated black men and women.”

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz

Comments

[Jeff Myles]

Kappa Alpha Psi will win the championship year. The frat games are fun for people of all ages and races! Come out and enjoy!! YO-YO....Kappa Alpha Psi

Jeff Myles
Spring 2001
Fresno State (Pi Beta)

[Daniel K. Tabor, Councilman, Inglewood, Ca.]

I am extremely honored to have been able to contribute to some positive news about goings on in Inglewood. I am even more appreciative that I was the winning pitcher this afternoon as my Kappa team defeated the Sigma team. But more than that i am once again impressed at how close the generational relationships are with in the Black Greek family. From and new friendship I learned something about my father who played football for UCLA in the 40's. It turns out that Jason Lewis brought his 83 year young father to the game today, both Jason and his dad are proud members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, with the elder Mr. Lewis having pledged at UCLA.
Mr. Lewis told me that my father Alva Tabor was a founding member of the Alpha Chapter at UCLA and follow that with the question ":Why are'nt you a Alpha?". After telling him that Kappa Alpha Psi was the road I chose, he went on to tell me stories of my dad's football exploits at UCLA. He even said he had a picture of the team he and my dad played on. What a treasure that picture will be, I have never dreamed of seeing my dad in a UCLA football uniform.
The Black Greek Family is alive and prospering.

[Rita]

Councilman Tabor isnt just hanging in there, he is giving those 20 something and 30 somthing year olds a run for their money. Can he pitch !!

It is without a doubt a wonderful way to spend your Sunday afternoon. Bring your family and your firends.

See you next Sunday!

[Eric (Ej) Johnson]

Glad to see Black Greek life being portrayed in a positive manner. It is very good to see everyone bringing out their families and exposing them early to what these fraternities and sororities are all about about: brotherhood/ sisterhood, scholarship, service and repairing the black family. People of different backgrounds and affiliations are able to come together and fellowship with one another and do something positive for the city of Inglewood. The games are helping place much needed funds back into the community like the resident youth baseball league (Sportsman Little League) at the park. Softball is really cool but if you thought this was fun I cant wait til basketball starts on September 5th. For more info check out www.thefratgames.com

[Katherine Ledbetter]

I have been going to the games these past Sundays and really enjoy them. The games are a family event, good relaxation and fun for all. My sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha is a big supporter at the games and really cheer on every fraternity there.

Katherine Ledbetter
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

[Courtney Elizabeth]

It's great to see our Black Greek organizations come out for a little friendly competition, great music, and fun on a Sunday afternoon.

This is definitely a family event for all to enjoy!

[Tyrone Robinson member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.]

It is a beautiful things to see the black families come out and enjoy a afternoon of softball. I hope in every way this is inspiration to the younger generations. It is my hope that the Greek softball league continue on and express the orgs commitment of service to our communities. I love how the league has let the Inglewood little league set-up the snack bar for the games. That is one way to give something back to the community that some of us grew up in. Thank you to Councilman Tabor, EJ, Mr. Quik, Nick G and the other member of the "The Frat Games" for bringing the league back.

[Kendell Mabry]

Down South, in those little small towns of Louisiana, I used to watch my mom and dad play softball and it was a way to meet new people from other small towns or hang out with family.
It is an honor and privelage to actually play in a friendly game with others who have like minds and who strive for things larger than the BLGO we represent. Thank you Bro Tabor for continuing the Frat games and I look forward to further representing the Crimson and Cream of Kappa Alpha Psi...

Kendell Mabry
Player #9
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated

[Alan LaBranche]

As a former avid baseball fan and player, starting way back 40+ years ago and extending through high school .... and having coached a number of African American youth in Pony Baseball and on Tournament/Travel Teams, my hats off to all the 'old' frat brothers participating. Kinda takes you back to the old times when the Negroe Baseball Leagues were in full swing ... when they played on Sundays and all the family came out to see. Lots of nostalgia ... may also inspire some of our youth to pursue that other under-represented sport, baseball!

Alan
1977 XI Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi

[Gary L. Moody]

As a member of Kappa Alpha Psi since '72, I can remember the Frat Games as a vehicle for networking among all Frats and Sorors. The Frat Games are and have always been "Da Connection".
Kudos to Bro. Danny keeping the Funk Alive!
As a member of the Mother Funkin' Nupe Band of the 70's: Ron "Brem" Brembry, Archie "Da Professor" Ivy, EJ "Juice" Pierre, Dean "The Dream"" Jones, Donald "Jim Buck" Matthews, Al "Big One" Lee, Henry "Amanifu" Brown, & myself, Gary L. "Speedracer" Moody, we kept the Frat Games Rockin' with the sounds of Funkadelic.
It's great to hear that it still exists! Can't wait till Basketball season in September.
Peace,
GL.Moody
Kappa Alpha Psi
Delta Rho '72

[Maisha Hudson]

The Frat Games have been an awesome Sunday afternoon activity. I live within blocks of the park and my Sorors and I have made it a weekly event. It's nice to see the fellas enjoying the game, the ladies cheering them on, and everyone celebrating the traditions of Black Greek life as well as community/family fun. It's awesome to see our community leaders not only support the community, but participate in the events that make us a tight knit family. Much appreciation to all who have taken the time to revive the games as well as those who make Sundays fun and entertaining.

Maisha N. Hudson
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Inglewood Alumne Chapter

[D WIlkes]

The Frat Games are a wonderful opportunity for African American families to get together and Greek Letter organizations to mingle and network.

Members of these organizations have opportunities to get together and solicit the support of others for upcoming events and community service projects.

On a social note, living in a day and age where African Americans too often fall victim to violence at social gatherings, the Frat Games provide a safe and positive environment. It also serves as a much needed "break" from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.

D. Wilkes
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Inglewood Alumnae Chapter

[Nadine Brown]

GL Moody will you please contact me at
memoii@rocketmail.com
I am an SCU alum looking for contact info for EJ Pierre.
If you have any pictures of the old boy in the band or alone one or two would be nice to post on our SCU BSU alumni site.
BTW we're planning a SCU BSU in 2010. Could you guys play for us?