Famous Members:            Vincent Price, Willard Scott, Tom Watson

The full significance of Alpha Sigma Phi’s symbol – the phoenix – becomes known to pledges in the “flambeau” ritual of initiation.  (The rite was revealed in 1985, when an Illinois Institute of Technology student was accidentally burned and sued the fraternity and the college.)

Pledges enter the darkened room decorated with skulls.  In the middle of the room is a flaming pan of alcohol resting on a coffin.  As the pledges draw close, they see the coffin has a glass window.  Visible in the flame’s livid light is the “dead” body of one of the lodge brothers.