During the months of October 1991 through February of 1992, I had the incredible experience of living and working at the bottom of the world. As Information Systems Coordinator for Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a U.S. scientific base, my responsibilities included managing all computing and communications from the most remote place on Earth. Located just 300 meters from the geographic South Pole, the station is manned by a civilian staff, supporting numerous science projects. South Pole is one of three United States Antarctic research stations which are staffed year-round.
When offered the position, it immediately came to mind that the Alpha Sigma Phi flag should be flown at the South Pole. In late September, on a visit to the NJIT campus in Newark, and with the help of Ken Nevola and Lou Russo, we retrieved the very same flag presented to the Alpha Rho chapter during our re-chartering of 1982.
The following message was transmitted back from Antarctica by computer email, just minutes after the flag was raised at exactly 90 degrees South latitude:
At 03:10 GMT, 15:10 Local time, on Sunday, 27 October 1991, the Alpha Rho Chapter Flag of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity was raised over the geographic South Pole, Antarctica. Pictures were taken. Readings at the time of the raising of the colors were as follows: Temperature: -60.2 F/-51.2 C, Wind: 360 Degrees at 12 Knots, Pressure: 667.2 Mb, Visibility: 6 Miles in Ice and Fog, Windchill: -101.5 F/-74.2 C, Physiological Altitude: 11115 Feet/3388 Meters.
After speaking to some Antarctic program veterans with considerable "ice time", it is believed the Alpha Sigma Phi colors were the first fraternity flag ever to fly at the South Pole! The flag was returned to the Alpha Rho chapter at a house meeting on March 11, to the cheers of all in attendance.
The next adventure for the Alpha Rho chapter flag is an expedition to the North Pole, which is currently in the planning stages. Alpha Sigma Phi truly will extend to the ends of the Earth!
About the author: Marty Lyons resides in Sunnyvale, California, and maintains his reputation in the Alpha Rho chapter as the brother most likely to take a road trip. He has many Antarctic stories, including celebrating New Years in all 24 time zones, and sitting in a hot tub when the air temperature was -55F.