Coaching Forward: How Fraternity Mentorship Shaped Ty Hoover's Career

Ty Hoover (left) with Seth Ware (right)

Ty Hoover (Trine University, ‘22) enrolled at Trine University, energetic and excited to get involved on campus. He joined the track team and began meeting brothers from the Fraternity who also ran. He later discovered that many of the men he met on the team were a part of the Fraternity and seemed to have a strong bond. 

Between his initial involvement with the track team and the Fraternity at Trine University, Ty Hoover faced a period of introspection and self-discovery. The camaraderie and bonds he witnessed among his peers were inspiring, but he also felt an internal pull towards a different path. Ty realized that while college provided many opportunities, he desired an opportunity to discover the best version of himself and prepare for a structured lifestyle before fully committing to college. This realization led him to make a significant decision in his life. 

Ty decided to withdraw from college and join the Air Force. He began his service working in the aerospace medical field. He traveled to several medical clinics nationwide, putting his college education on hold. He later transitioned to the Air Force, doing blood draws, medical records, and physicals. While in the Air Force, he returned to college full-time. He dedicated one weekend a month to the Air Force and focused on college life during the remainder of his time. 

Although he was excited to return to school, he felt like he was starting over. Phi Kappa Theta was filled with familiar faces from his first year, and his brothers welcomed him with open arms. They encouraged him to be the best he could be and reach his goals.  

After returning to track and field, it quickly became more than just a sport. He was always curious about the purpose behind the workouts and how he could reach his fullest potential. His coach, Seth Ware (Trine University, ‘13), who serves on the Fraternity's Board of Trustees, became a big brother figure to Ty. He was a mentor, always offering advice in practice or life. Seth says he enjoys mentoring students on his team and in the Fraternity. It seems to happen naturally, and it’s part of why he loves coaching track and field and staying involved with the Fraternity.  

When Ty decided he was interested in coaching track and field, Seth was the one who guided him through applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, and building his confidence as an aspiring coach. The most memorable experience was when Seth encouraged Ty to apply for a job opening that felt out of reach. Shortly after applying for the job, he received a call inviting him in for an interview.    

The interview went well, and he received a job offer shortly after. Ty explains that if it weren’t for Seth and his brothers in the Fraternity, he might not have the same love for coaching. He may not have been confident applying for a job outside his comfort zone. He claims that the Fraternity shaped him into the person and coach he is today.   

Ty is now the head track and field coach at Adrian College. He is now able to share advice with his students. He finds joy in the fact that the Fraternity taught him leadership skills and how to share knowledge with others. He enjoys mentoring his students and is thankful for the opportunity to pay it forward, as Seth had done for him.  

Seth agrees that although Ty is coaching at a school that competes against his team, he will always be a resource to him. That is what makes the Fraternity so unique. Even when you graduate, you have a nationwide network of brothers with common interests who want to support each other.  

If Seth had one piece of advice to give regarding our brotherhood, he would say, “A brotherhood can exist in chapters and across the country. The whole point of the Fraternity is the network and the common interests we share across the country. Use the network, and don’t be afraid to reach out to other members even if they aren’t from your chapter.”  

Ty and Seth's story reminds us that those around you often play a significant role in who you become. 

Ty's journey as a college student to a military serviceman and back to academia, culminating in his track and field coach role, underscores the profound impact of mentorship. Seth (who now serves on the National Fraternity Board of Trustees) exemplifies the strength and depth of mentorship that can be forged within the Fraternity.

It's not just about the bonds formed during college years but the lifelong relationships that continue to guide, support, and inspire a fellow brother. 

Whether you're a current student or an alumnus, the opportunities to cross paths with brothers, share experiences, and grow together are endless. To further foster these connections, consider attending the upcoming Phi Kap Konnect forum online hosted by National Fraternity President Dan Bureau, Ph.D. As a member, there are countless ways to make your mark and continue the legacy of brotherhood that has shaped so many lives, just as it did for Ty and Seth.

The Art of Painting Down from Earth and Up Toward Heaven

Matthew Sestak painting Saint Nicholas.

Brother Matthew Sestak, a world history and psychology teacher in Nebraska, has found a love for painting Catholic icons. He was first exposed to the art of painting in high school. His art teacher at the time left an impression on him through his faith and love for Jesus Christ. Matthew recalls him being a helpful and kind man who was filled with faith and inspiration.

Later, Matthew pursued teaching as a career and learned a lot about the art of painting along the way. It may have been his past art teacher’s impression on his life that indirectly influenced him to take this path. He now inspires students as his teacher once inspired him.

It was in 2018 that Matthew painted his first icon. However, it wasn’t until the fall of 2021 that he began working diligently toward producing paintings for friends and family. When asked what inspired his interest in painting Catholic icons, Matthew reflected on a trip to the Holy Land in 2018.

The Holy Land attracts religious visitors due to its biblical background. It is a mesmerizing experience to visit sites in today’s world known for biblical occurrences. The Holy Land is an area in Jerusalem, a city located in the Middle East between the Mediterranean and the eastern bank of the Jordan River. Traditionally, the River of Jordan contains Holy water due to the river symbolizing Jesus Christ’s baptism site. Upon visiting this location on a trip with friends, Matthew collected a small amount of the Holy water to take back home, something many visitors often do. When he returned home, he saw an opportunity to put it to good use. He now puts a few drops of Holy water in the paint he uses for religious icon paintings. Each brushstroke and every detail are a prayer that the recipient of his painting will see themselves as worthy. Matthew will continue this practice for as long as he has the collected Holy water in his possession.

Each painting takes him about two weeks to finish, working about three to six hours a day. Matthew begins by painting the icon's body and working his way up to the subject's face. He prefers to finalize the artwork with the face and background. Matthew compares this act to “painting down from Earth and up toward Heaven.” This is a technique that he has developed due to his own preferences. However, the best practices of painting that we typically learn when studying brush stroke technique might point you in a different direction. Typically, it is best to paint the background before the main focus as it prevents smears in the paint from occurring. All artists develop their own unique techniques. Matthew is a great example of an artist who has found significance in his own process.

Matthew chose to paint an image of St. Thomas Aquinas, pictured below, as a gift to the Fraternity. The reasoning behind this thoughtful gift has to do with the Fraternity’s motto, “Give, Expecting Nothing Thereof…” a phrase coined by this Catholic icon. The painting will be gifted to Kevin Lampe (Western Illinois University, ’83), who will be presented with the Edward R. Solvibile Distinguished Service Award at this year’s Biennial Convention for exemplifying the motto throughout his service to the Fraternity.

As an artist, it is easy for Matthew to see his mistakes or how things could have been better. He takes this opportunity to remind the reader of this article that if you give all the credit to Christ, you will be surprised at how far you will go. Take a leap of faith and diligently work toward doing the things you love, even if you could be better at it.

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Brother Vince Dooley (1932 - 2022)

Today the entire brotherhood of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity mourns the loss of brother Vince Dooley (University of Georgia, ‘54) at 90 years of age.

Brother Dooley has graciously ascended to the Chapter Eternal and joins many exceptional Phi Kappa Theta brothers who preceded him. He will be dearly missed but always remembered for his leadership and love for those around him.

In 2016, he was recognized as the Man of Achievement Award recipient. This award reflected the impact he made by inspiring and bringing joy to the members of Phi Kappa Theta.

Dooley is most known for his leadership and accomplishments on the field. He has served as the head coach for the University of Georgia’s football program between 1964 and 1988. Having also served as UGA’s athletic director for 26 years, he was widely acknowledged for establishing one of the most successful athletic programs in the country. With a compiled NCAA Division I record of 201–77–10 at UGA, his teams won six Southeastern Conference titles and the 1980 college football national championship.

Among several notable recognitions, in 1978 Dooley was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the 1994 College Football Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was awarded the Homer Rice Award, the highest honor given by the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association.

Dooley was able to watch as Georgia won it’s most recent national championship in 2021. This was the school's first football championship since Dooley's in 1980. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and brothers during this difficult time.

Missouri Kappa Upsilon Chapter Celebrates 100th Anniversary by Hosting Golf Tournament

The Missouri Kappa Upsilon chapter at the University of Missouri held a golf tournament between collegiate members and alumni to kick off their 100th anniversary celebrations. Originally installed in 1922 as Phi Kappa and later merging with the 1948-chartered Theta Kappa Phi, the brotherhood is commemorating their monumental mark in chapter history.

The event attracted dozens of alumni from the St. Louis area and encouraged them to make connections with the collegiate members. Steve Einspanier, (University of Missouri, ‘98), who is a part of the alumni board for the chapter, agreed to assist in hosting the event. During our interview with Brother Einspanier, he reflected on assisting the chapter, “I enjoyed helping plan the golf tournament and hosting the brothers from the chapter. They are all great!”

When reflecting on the event, Dylan Britton, (University of Missouri, ‘24) said, “The biggest thing for our brothers is making sure alumni can see the amount of growth their chapter has been through. It is important to show the positive transformation that the Fraternity has gone through and to the positive development it has on its members.”

Brother Britton went on to explain that the chapter is planning on doing a lot of work with their alumni over the next year by inviting them to more events. The chapter looks forward to working closely with alumni and welcoming their involvement.

Brother Zach Khennafi (University of Missouri, ‘25) was excited to share, “All of our brothers had a great time playing golf and meeting up with a group of alumni. We hope to establish this as a new tradition in coming years and further our college and alumni relationships in the future.”

During the event, collegiate members enjoyed a day on the green followed by a BBQ at the golf resort. Phi Kaps from across generations exchanged experiences as members and were given updates on current chapter activities and initiatives.

“The alumni golf tournament was an amazing beginning to new relations with our alumni. It gave us the opportunity to know them, and more importantly for them to know us. Interacting with our brothers of the past has shown me a bright future for this chapter,” said newly-initiated Brother Austin Williams (University of Missouri, ‘25).

As centennial celebrations begin to ramp up for the chapter, the collegiate members of the Missouri Kappa Upsilon chapter are excited to welcome home their brothers of generations past.

Collegiate and alumni members of our Missouri Kappa Upsilon chapter came together for their inaugural golf tournament. The chapter is celebrating the 100th anniversary of their brotherhood later this fall.

Phi Kappa Theta’s Missouri Upsilon chapter recently hosted their 100th Year Anniversary celebration on October 22nd. All Missouri University Phi Kappa Theta, Phi Kappa, and Theta Kappa Phi alumni, and their families were invited to a catered tailgate celebrating their centennial. If your chapter is celebrating a major milestone, we would love to hear about it! Click the button below to share your story.