I was at Tanner’s in Overland Park this summer with a recent Kappa Sigma graduate, enjoying a beverage and a Royals game when something kind of funny happened.

Noticing we were both wearing Baker gear, a 40-ish man, who was undoubtedly First Team All-Moustache and at least Honorable Mention All-Mullet from 1985, approached us.

He explained he was a Baker grad and then eagerly asked us if we were members of a fraternity. After my buddy replied “Kappa Sig,” the man stuck out his hand, grinning from ear to ear, and offered the official Kappa Sigma handshake. Taken by surprise, my friend stammered for a second – as if trying to remember the things he was taught as a pledge – and then produced the unique greeting. (Don’t worry, Kappa Sigs, I won’t go into greater detail).

Please don’t take offense greek brothers, but I must admit that I giggled during the exchange. I don’t think I’ve had a secret handshake since my 7th grade touchdown celebration. And that was cooler, mind you, because it involved a dirty bird dance and a chest bump.

Anyway, upon reflection I realized the entire thing was pretty cool. I came into Baker four years ago with some incorrect predispositions about fraternities. In fact my knowledge of the system revolved around “Animal House,” and I just couldn’t see myself saying, ‘Thank you sir, may I have another?’ to a fellow man. But by all inside accounts, and what I’ve personally seen during my college career, paddling doesn’t exist (unless you get on Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity President Zack Rockey’s bad side), and fraternities can be a great way to meet friends for life.

I don’t regret many things about my four years at Baker, but I do regret not rushing. I’m not saying I would have joined a fraternity – the soccer team for me was a fraternity in itself – but I absolutely recommend going through the rush process. At a small school like Baker, knowing a lot of different people and having a variety of friends will drastically improve your experience.

Plus you might just learn a new handshake.