The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HELL WEEKEND IS THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE 6-8 WEEK PLEDGE
PERIOD (PERIOD OF PROBATION DURING WHICH ONE IS JOINING A
FRATERNITY OR SORORITY). MOST HELL WEEKENDS BEGIN WITH A
"PARTY" FRIDAY NIGHT, DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAKE PLEDGES DO
EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXERCISE. THE PLEDGES ARE THEN GIVEN A
LIST OF ITEMS (MANHOLE COVERS, BLACK LACE BRAS, G STRINGS,
USED SANITARY NAPKINS, STREET SIGNS, ETC.) WHICH THEY HAVE
TO GET DURING WHAT IS CALLED THE SCAVENGER HUNT. BY ABOUT
9:00 A.M. SATURDAY THE PLEDGES MUST HAVE A FIRE GOING AT
SOME SPECIFIED PLACE SUCH AS A STATE PARK. THE MEMBERS
ARRIVE AND GIVE THE PLEDGES "HELL" I.E., THE PLEDGES ARE
MADE TO DO MORE EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXERCISE ACCOMPANIED
BY MENTAL HAZING AND PHYSICAL DEGRADATION SUCH AS GETTING
EGGS, MOLASSES, AND CORN FLAKES POURED INSIDE THEIR
CLOTHES. THROUGHOUT THE DAY THE PLEDGES ARE ALSO FORCED TO
EAT VARIOUS KINDS OF HOT AND/OR DISTASTEFUL THINGS, SUCH AS
GARLIC PEPPER, GOLDFISH, TOBASCO SAUCE, ONIONS, ETC.
FINALLY ABOUT 4:00 SATURDAY AFTERNOON THE MEMBERS LEAVE AND
THE PLEDGES GO HOME TO BED. IF NONE OF THE PLEDGES HAVE
QUIT OR DONE ANYTHING TO GET A MEMBER MAD, THEY ARE INITIATED
INTO THE FRATERNITY SUNDAY NIGHT.

Submitter comment: HELL WEEKEND, AS DESCRIBED BY OMICRON TAU PLEDGE CLASS,
VERIFIED AS TYPICAL BY TAU (UPSILON?) THETA, TAU KAPPA
EPSILON, PHI KAPPA THETA, UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, 1968.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 00-00-1968