Benevolent and Spirited Order of Oil and Sand
The The Benevolent and Spirited Order of Oil and Sand, aka the BASOOS, is an award that was created after a harrowing trip to a national convention during which the bus broke down in the middle of nowhere/desert. The brothers going banded together and still made it to the convention despite their travelling woes. Thus the BASOOS was created and given to people in the chapter who have shown excellent spirit and passion for the chapter. It is an award that is passed from one recipient to the next when the holder feels someone is deserving (usually when someone goes above and beyond their call of duty as an officer or as an active).
History and Tradition

In December 1982 , several Iota Phi brothers left Davis in the Boy Scout Troup 66 bus headed toward the 1982 National Convention in Kansas City, MO. Along the way, they planned to pick up several other brothers. The group got into the Tehachapi Mountains when the bus blew an oil line and was stranded. Several brothers turned around and went back home. However, several other brothers found any means possible to complete the pilgrimage to the Mecca of Alpha Phi Omega, Kansas City, as the National Office was located there in 1982 (in the old Waltower Building).
Earle Herbert, the National Vice President at the time and later National President, after hearing the tale of those who drove, flew, or bussed their way to the National Convention, bestowed an award upon those brothers that Iota Phi since has passed down through all the generations: The Benevolent and Spirited Order of Oil and Sand (BASOOS). The significance of the oil and sand should be self explanatory--busted oil line in the middle of a desert. After the National Convention, the chapter decided to pass the BASOOS down to an active brother who has exhibited a spirited and positive attitude throughout the term. The BASOOS is handed down at each chapter banquet.
Prior to handing it down the current holder of the BASOOS (which has been a blue ribbon sash with a golden-yellow stripe down the center) cuts a small piece of the sash to keep as his/her momento for receiving the award. In the past, the BASOOS was cut into V-shape piece. More recently, it is cut into a straight piece. Traditionally, a piece of the BASOOS bears a Key Pin.
BASOOS Recipients
Originally there were 7 BASOOS awards, but the whereabouts of two are unknown. The following table lists the known order of recipients for each of the remaining BASOOS from oldest (top) to most recent (bottom).
BASOOS Recipients
Recipient* | Recipient | Recipient | Recipient** | Recipient |
---|---|---|---|---|
* This BASOOS was nicknamed the Mystery BASOOS
** This BASOOS was nicknamed the Legendary
Other Previous BASOOS Recipients
While we may not know who these individuals received the BASOOS from or to whom they passed theirs to, the following individuals were each bestowed the award.
- Teri Sheets
- Tony Wan
- Anna Ng (received from Tony Wan)
- Mimi Huang
- Clifford Alumno (received from Mimi Huang)
- Roger Clark
- Ernie Hsiung
- Steve Lee
- Erick Kim
- Joanne Graham