Tryon Coterie

The Tryon Coterie, founded in 1947, was the oldest of Baylor University’s men’s social clubs. Try-C affiliated with Phi Delta Theta in 1977 it is now the Texas Lambda chapter of Phi Delta Theta. The chapter models itself as Phi Delta Theta - The Tryon Coterie. The Try-C’s started , Chili Cook-off, and off campus "illegal" dances among other things. The fraternity founded the Great Gloomy Gathering tradition of members wearing basic tuxedos, and dates wearing black gowns to a formal ball held in New Orleans at the Le Pavillon Hotel, and Houmas House Plantation, to "mourn" the start of finals. The fraternity also regularly hosts its "Spring Fling" at Horseshoe Bay, Texas Country Club.
The current chapter of Phi Delta Theta - the Tryon Coterie is the only on campus chapter to have its own endowed scholarship fund for its own members.
Not much is known about the traditions or secrets of the Tryon Coterie but they are supposedly still practiced within the current Baylor Chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
The fraternity is also reported to have a large endowment trust fund, very strong alumni backing, and a secret hunting lodge for former and current member retreats.
History
The Tryon Coterie was named after one of Baylor University's three founders, Reverend William Milton Tryon. A minister in the Southern Baptist Convention, and Confederate chaplain. The word Coterie was chosen as it represents a "Gathering of Friends".
Try-C started the "Great Gloomy Gathering"- so-named because it was held the weekend before Fall finals began. Formal black was worn and black flowers given. Tryon Coterie made banners & run throughs for the BU football team. Tryon Coterie also hosted the annual freshman tea each fall.
In 1974-75 Try-C won the Class C division with their float when BU played Texas A&M University at Homecoming. In '75-'76, Try-C captured 1st place with their float in the Class A division. They participated in All-University Sing, a Baylor tradition, and received 4th place that year. Try-C also won the University Championship in tennis & softball that year.
In '76-'77 Try-C converted to Phi Delta Theta, as many of the fraternities began to transfer from Local to National names. That year their float received the Honor Award in Class A division. Tryon Coterie, now also called Phi Delta Theta, continued to make the run throughs for the Football team.
In '77-'78 Phi Delta Theta won 1st place in football intramurals and with their Class A float. In spring they won 2nd place in softball intramurals and placed 8th in Sing. They held several mixers that year with Alpha Omega (now Pi Beta Phi) and Athenians (now Kappa Kappa Gamma).
The fraternity chapter to this day models itself as Phi Delta Theta - The Tryon Coterie, making it unique among Phi Delt chapters nationwide.
Famous Baylor TRY-C/Phi Delt Alumni
*Texas Lambda Alumni have donated extensively to Baylor. Many landmark buildings are named after the clubs alumni, including Clifton Robinson Tower, Turner Athletic Complex, and the Ferrell Center. The following are Tryon Coterie's alums.
*Jim Turner '69 CEO of Dr Pepper and current Chair of the Baylor Board of Regents
*Mark Hurd '77 Former CEO and Chairman of Hewlett Packard
*Governor Mark White '56 Texas Governor
*Clifton Robinson '54 CEO of National Insurance
*Trey Wingo '85 ESPN Anchor
*Max Sandlin '75 Congressman representing Texas's 1st congressional district

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu