The first guys to approach Jay Zazzara (’93) on the campus of Ramapo College of New Jersey were Alpha Phi Delta. “I actually pledged for six or seven weeks. I had gone through the hardest parts,” Jay said. A pivotal moment was when he realized he wasn’t going to be friends with these guys. “I didn’t mind the hazing at all,” but the values and what they represented were a turn off and the Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity was not for him.
At a party back home over Thanksgiving break, Jay ran into a couple of high school buddies who were both wearing Alpha Chi Rho jackets. You could call it being at the right place at the right time. The conversation that ensued was the starter that helped Jay discover his passion in life. He didn’t know at the time, but he was about to start something great that will mean so much to many. His friends went to Montclair State, and the Theta Chi Phi Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho had only been established for a little over a year at the time. The timing was right, as Ramapo did not have an Alpha Chi Rho Chapter on campus. Jay ended up talking all night with them and was really intrigued.
Before the next spring semester, Jay visited Alpha Chi Rho Headquarters and met with staff member, Shane McGoey (’88). He put together a packet of information on himself, Ramapo and why he wants to start a Chapter at the northern New Jersey college. “The whole experience was awesome!” Recruiting was a success from the beginning as twenty-two guys were initiated. “Alpha Chi Rho made me feel that Ramapo was as important as Penn State or Rutgers. It was the people and not the institution. I really liked that.” The hard work paid off on November 6, 1993 and the Xi Chi Phi Chapter at Ramapo was the newest Chapter established in Alpha Chi Rho.
As the Founding President, Jay has recently led efforts with his graduate brothers to help support the Xi Chi Phi Chapter during a rough patch. “They stopped paying dues. They stopped being active on campus. They fell apart. They were almost kicked off campus.” Jay’s leadership, guidance and passion were needed. This re-engaged him. Philanthropy and selfishness are the two reasons Jay is driven to give back to his Chapter. “I’ll be honest. It’s my baby!” He did not want the legacy to go away. “The legacy is all the guys that love each other, that they’re god parents to each other’s kids and best men in their weddings. That’s the legacy!” With the help of Jay and his Brothers, the legacy lives on.
Jay is the Regional Channel Manager at Asurion, LLC. He lives in South Plainfield, New Jersey with his wife and three kids. “My family comes first, then my job and then Alpha Chi Rho. It’s always been that but lately more paramount. I believe in the Fraternity!”
