Sigma Chi Sigma was founded in August of 1963 by two Sigma Chi's, Zoran Vidanovic, San Diego State
and Mike Davis, Bradley University. Together with four other undergraduates at
Long Beach State and the help of the Long Beach Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter, they set
out to build a local fraternity to petition Sigma Chi for an undergraduate charter.
Sigma Chi Sigma followed closely the values of Sigma Chi and "The Norman Shield."
At the time of petitioning, the group boasted an active membership of 50 brothers,
20 pledges, more than 100 alumni, and a very active little sister auxiliary of 25 ladies.
Their house was a converted apartment complex that slept 23 men. Located one block
from the beach, it had a large chapter room, a pool table, and a swimming pool.
Following a favorable vote on the petition from Long Beach, preparations were made for installation of the group. Headquarters staff members Fred Yoder, Rich Mackey, and Roy Henwood conducted the Indoctrination Week and finalized plans for the Iniation ceremonies.
The local had been petitioning Sigma Chi from its inception in 1963, rejecting all other major fraternities. They had suffered through the disappointment of what Grand Consul Brewer explained as a general reluctance within the fraternity toward considering California colleges for a charter. They reached the expectation of being apparent, attitudes gradually shifted from skepticism to desire and eagerness to learn, and to be worthy of the honor that was being bestowed.
Eighty-eight charter members were iniated Sunday, March 8, 1970. Sigma Chi was welcomed to the College. Grand Consul Brewer and Grand Preator Jerry Wulk welcomed the college and Eta Beta to sigma Chi. Significant Sig and former movie actor Regis Toomey, delivered a timely and stirring installation message.
The Eta Beta Chapter stayed in Seal Beach until 1974 when a new location opened up on 7th Street. The present Eta Beta Chapter house was purchased, and still owned, by Alumni. The house being only 1.5 miles from the Long Beach State Campus, which makes it the closest fraternity house to campus. In 1984 the house went through $125,000 worth of renovations. The renovations were needed to convert the house, which was once a train station, into a suitable fraternity house. The renovation created 4 individual suites each containing their own kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living room areas. With the basement serving as the chapter room/entertainment room. The house sleeps 16 brothers comfortably. Since the house used to be a railroad station, a huge lot behind the house serves as a prime location for our annual DERBY DAYS event.