off campus Chapter News
ALASKA The Alaska Chapter is staying warm this winter cheering on the Zags at game-watches held each month at Platinum Jaxx on 6th Avenue in Anchorage. A schedule is published on the Alaska Chapter section on zagsonline.org. E-mail reminders go out one week prior. In October, members celebrated our fourth anniversary at the Petroleum Club for the annual Silent Auction & Wine Tasting event. Attendees enjoyed excellent food and wine, while supporting the Alaska Chapter and learning about recent developments at the University. Interested in planning an event or getting involved in service projects? Contact Brady Strahl at bstrahl@strahlco.com or 907.317.4572. BOISE The chapter held a kick-off picnic in late summer to welcome about 20 local incoming freshmen and their families to the Gonzaga Community. The chapter held the second annual “Zags Give Back, Biking for Backpacks” on Oct. 3. We biked along the Boise River Greenbelt, playing poker along the way and raising money for the Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack for Kids program. The chapter will hold game watches this winter, so come cheer on the Zags. Contact Connie Sturdavant at chucks@ cableone.net or 208.336.1184. CHICAGO The Chicago Chapter is alive and thriving. We hope you have had a chance to attend one of our game watches at Sully’s, the Chicago 64
GONZAGA MAGAZINE | WINTER 2011
Jesuit Alumni Networking event or make the caravan down to Indiana where we battled Notre Dame. If you missed any of these events, don’t be sad. We have an eventful 2011 schedule lined up for you. Check out the Chicago Chapter Facebook page for updates on upcoming service, networking, game watches and other events. Want to get involved in your chapter? Contact Derrick Stricker derrick.stricker@ hotmail.com. Stay warm! DALLAS-FORT WORTH The DFW Chapter kicked off the year with the Addison Oktoberfest in September and a Ranger baseball game in October. For a list of monthly events, go to zagsonline.org and click on Texas. Be on the lookout for the new DFW Chapter’s Facebook page – another seamless way to connect with DFW-area Zags. The Gonzaga men’s basketball team will be in Dallas on Dec. 18 playing Baylor at the American Airlines Arena. The DFW Chapter has a packed calendar. Please join us for some Zag fun. Contact Cynthia Reyes Methvin, gozags@ centurytel.net or 940.497.5900. MINNESOTA The Minnesota Chapter held its annual service project on Oct. 9 at Cooks for Kids, which cooks meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. The chapter donated and prepared meals for 90 people. Gonzaga game watches will take place throughout the season. Contact Chris Green, cellisg@hotmail.com or 612.270.1472.
PHOENIX The Phoenix Zag Alumni Chapter is gearing up for a great end to 2010 and looking forward to more events in 2011. We really want to grow our Phoenix Zag community, so whether you’re an alum, an alum parent or a parent of a current student, we hope you’ll join us and stay connected to the Gonzaga family here in Phoenix. For more information or to suggest ideas, contact Billy Itule, gonzagaphoenixalumni@ gmail.com. PORTLAND While all our volunteers give generously of their time and talent to our annual service projects at St. Andrew Nativity School, we had two special stories this fall. Gonzaga parents Mo Blake and Karen Morisette celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary by joining our service day. And Maureen Stacey honored her Zag son’s military service by participating as we served urban students and their school with such close Gonzaga ties. On Jan. 4, GU’s GAMP team and chapter volunteers will put on another Portland Trek. Students willing to sacrifice a day of Christmas vacation are treated to tours of area businesses, an opportunity to meet with local firm representatives, and a networking social with alumni. On Jan. 11, we’re sponsoring an Alumni Night with Ronny Turiaf and his New York Knicks taking on the Blazers. Ronny will join us for a post-game Q&A, talking about his life in professional sports. With basketball season comes a chance for Zags to gather again for game watches at Broadway Grill & Brewery. Also, plans are under way for a Zag Family Bowling Event in April, so
watch for details. Contact John Timm, johnt@timmco.com or 503.288.8818. SALT LAKE CITY Thanks to everyone who made the Salt Lake City Chapter’s kickoff picnic a success last summer. We had about 40 people and, despite a torrential downpour, still managed to eat, mingle and have fun. We are excited to have so many Bulldogs in the area. The Salt Lake City Chapter is for all those within 90 miles of Salt Lake. From Wendover, Nev., to Evanston, Wyo., to the Utah-Idaho border and Nephi, Utah, you’re included. In coming months we’ll plan a networking event and community service project, with game watches too, of course. We’re seeking ideas for events and good places to hold them. The Salt Lake Chapter is about six months old; all are welcome to contact Dawn Emery, demeryesq@gmail.com or 801.835.8192. SPOKANE The Spokane Chapter has hosted several wine-tastings in the last two years attracting more than 300 alumni and friends. We’ll focus on the Valentine’s Day tastings, since we have one coming up. The first year featured Nodland Cellars, with Tim (’91 J.D.) and Tracey Nodland hosting. The second event, in February 2010, featured Justin Wylie (’96) of Va Piano vineyards – and a wine called “Aloysius.” Stay tuned for details of the upcoming 2011 Valentine’s Day event. As long as we have alumni making fine wines, we’ll keep organizing Spokane Chapter tastings. Contact Rol Herriges, sqrgr@comcast.net.