Gamma Phi Circus

Gamma Phi Circus, sponsored by Illinois State University, is the oldest collegiate circus in the United States. It began as the Gamma Phi fraternity, founded in 1929 by ISU gymnastics instructor Clifford "Pop" Horton. The fraternity's first circus performance took place in 1931. Gamma Phi Circus is a performing arts fraternal organization and is no longer affiliated with social fraternities or sororities and is a Registered Student Organization. Membership is available by audition to all full-time ISU students, faculty, and staff. Illinois State University and Florida State University are the only four-year universities that have full-fledged circuses.

Read more about Gamma Phi Circus:  History of The Gamma Phi Circus, Financial Aspects, Shows

Famous quotes containing the words phi and/or circus:

    Adolescents have the right to be themselves. The fact that you were the belle of the ball, the captain of the lacrosse team, the president of your senior class, Phi Beta Kappa, or a political activist doesn’t mean that your teenager will be or should be the same....Likewise, the fact that you were a wallflower, uncoordinated, and a C student shouldn’t mean that you push your child to be everything you were not.
    Laurence Steinberg (20th century)

    The way to go to the circus, however, is with someone who has seen perhaps one theatrical performance before in his life and that in the High School hall.... The scales of sophistication are struck from your eyes and you see in the circus a gathering of men and women who are able to do things as a matter of course which you couldn’t do if your life depended on it.
    Robert Benchley (1889–1945)