We’re all elated about our move back to 2000 North Broad, but one brother, Joe Pizza ’02, recently found himself unexpectedly delivered to the old “house that leads.”
Joe recounted, “I randomly wound up driving by with a business partner who went to Temple and was compelled to grab a pic on the stoop. It just so happens a brother was there and invited us in.”
“…yep, 80% chance we just got Covid and probably a few STDs from touching those lofts.”
Joe said he’s been pretty conservative about the pandemic, but admitted, “for some reason the brother invited us in and it was like I totally forgot about Covid, shaking hands, no mask, walking room to room. I left and turned to my buddy and was like yep, 80% chance we just got Covid and probably a few STDs from touching those lofts.”
Joe continued exuberantly, “The house was legitimately amazing. Memories and long forgotten stories flooded back with each room I entered. It started in the kitchen, where a stone 200 pound Julius Caesar lawn statue once stood, likely a last minute scavenger hunt addition.
Then pledge dinner in the bar room, where my bold but brilliant, ‘never wrestle Jay Carrington’ story landed. Such great memories of packing these rooms shoulder to shoulder along with an endless supply of Milwaukee’s Beast and music.
“I was astonished how many original details remained. The distinct smell of hops, wood, and I swear, a feint smell of whalesh*t…”
And the basement… wow the basement, where boys turn into men and learned the true meaning of fraternity and life expressed so perfectly in those epic words of the Kovner Plaque.
With each step my shoes creaked as they lifted from the hardwood. I was astonished how many original details remained. The distinct smell of hops, wood, and I swear, a feint smell of whalesh*t, made this a next level experience.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered after all this stress and loss of personal connection from the pandemic.
Just as good as the memories of the house were, so was my impression of the current group of brothers living there. Solid dudes that reminded me of the relationships and bonds we all developed years ago in these same rooms and hallways.“
This definitely encapsulates the feeling of a generation of brothers. Thanks for sharing, Joe!
Visit the House at the 2021 Kovner Banquet
For brothers eager to see the house, we’re planning a reception at 2000 North Broad after the Kovner Banquet this year, conditions permitting. We are tentatively planning for Kovner in October. More details to come.
Take a Virtual Tour
If you’d like to see what 2000 N. Broad looks like today, take a virtual tour.
But if you do find yourself in the neighborhood… please ask yourself, what the hell am I doing in North Philly? And if you still somehow wind up on the front stoop, like Joe, please wear a mask and social distance for the safety of the brothers and yourself.