On March 21, 2025, at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels, a powerful moment of brotherhood unfolded between two members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Ron Pies (New Mexico ’63) and Jeff Meyer (Arizona State ’83). On his 85th birthday, Brother Pies was inducted into the Cactus League Hall of Fame for his longtime contributions to Arizona’s spring training legacy, including his leadership as President of the Cactus League Association from 1992 to 1993. The award was presented by Brother Meyer, current President of the same organization, a dedicated volunteer, and fellow True Gentleman.
Their shared history became even more meaningful when Brother Pies learned that Meyer, too, was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. As they spoke, memories of Arizona Beta’s early days resurfaced. Pies had been on campus during the chapter’s founding in December of 1961, just months before Meyer was even born on March 12. The realization that their fraternal paths had quietly paralleled each other for decades led to Brother Pies gifting Meyer with his original active SAE pin as a birthday gift.
For Meyer, the honor of inducting Pies was both humbling and surreal. The moment was made even more special by the shared fraternity bond, bridging generations and chapters, all on the field where memories, legacies, and brotherhood were celebrated.
More photos from the on-field experience capture the significance of this reunion, including the moment Meyer presented the Hall of Fame award to Pies. What started with a chance connection, brought to light by mutual acquaintance Brother Stan Strom (Arizona State ’82), became a full-circle story of enduring fraternal ties.
