It's Union's equivalent of the Stanley Cup for fraternities. It's bigger than the cup awarded to winners of the Kentucky Derby. It's even bigger than some students on campus.

Standing five-feet-tall, the Stephen P. Brown Cup means a lot to Union Greek life, and until Drew Moyer '06 came along, it was in rough shape.

When Moyer, a brother at Delta Kappa Epsilon and former president of the Inter-Fraternal Council, and interim President James Underwood presented the coveted trophy at last fall's homecoming football game, both were stunned at its appearance.

"It was in horrendous condition," says Moyer. "President Underwood thought it was important that the trophy be restored."

Moyer decided to take matters into his own hands. He began researching the history of the Brown Cup and soon came to consider it a metaphor for the College's fraternal system.

The Stephen P. Brown Memorial Trophy was established by Phi Sigma Delta to commemorate the death of Stephen Brown, who was killed in the Great Long Island Train Wreck on Thanksgiving 1950. 

Each year, the cup is awarded to the fraternity that displays the best scholarship, intramural record, student activity participation, community service and Greek Week participation.

The current trophy dates to the early 1980s, when the original cup was replaced with a much bigger, grander version. However, after years of neglect, the 25-year-old prize was in dire need of some TLC. When Moyer first saw it last fall, most of the figurines at its base were broken. The plaque that bears inscriptions of each year's recipient hadn't been updated since 1989.

To Moyer, getting the trophy restored would symbolize that relations between the school and Greek organizations were as strong as ever. With support from the President's Office and College Relations, Moyer raised more than $2,000 to cover the cost of refurbishing by Lee's Trophies in Schenectady.   

Now that the Brown Cup has been restored to its rightful, gleaming state, the College is looking for a home for it.

"It would be a nice end to this year-long project," says Moyer.

Dean of Residential and Campus Life Tom McEvoy and Director of Student Activities Matt Milless are working to make Moyer's wish come true. McEvoy projects that a permanent display should be completed by Alumni weekend.

He is also quick to commend Moyer for his hard work.

"I congratulate Drew for recognizing the significance of this award to the campus community and for having a strong sense of purpose in restoring it to its former glory," says McEvoy. "The Brown Cup signifies to me what fraternities are all about. All you have to do is look at its size to know that someone else must have felt the same way."