Cross & Crescent

Core Values form the foundation of Lambda Chi Alpha’s approach to brotherhood. As a part of the True Brother Initiative, our Seven Core Values — Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service and Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage — once learned and internalized, equip each Lambda Chi Alpha undergraduate brother and associate member with a clear moral compass, always orienting him, no matter the environment or consequences, toward making ethical decisions.

For Lambda Chi Alpha, it is not enough simply to know how to do things the right way; more importantly, it is to do the right things, for brotherhood and leadership are ultimately about action, about doing.

Core Value in Action: Loyalty

In 2003, John Fiala (Washington-WA 1995) retired from the NFL. Drafted from the University of Washington by the Miami Dolphins in 1997, he played his last four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was a linebacker and special teams captain.

Fiala chose retirement instead of signing with another NFL team because he wanted to make his family a greater priority. Today, he lives in Seattle with his wife and two sons, ages 4 and 2, and they are expecting their third child in December.

“I made the decision to hang up the cleats and come home to Seattle with my wife and start a family here,” he says. “Football does do some wear and tear on the body and I understood that. I had six years in the NFL, a successful college career but I was ready for another chapter, another journey in my life. The one I’m in now is better than the one I had then.”

From very early on in his life, Fiala found loyalty to be one of the most important core values.

“Well, I think whether it be football, or through the Fraternity, or just with life, something I’ve always tried to live by is loyalty,” he says. “I’m very loyal to my family, my wife, and to Christ. Those things are very important to me.”

When asked about a critical time in his football where loyalties were tested the most, he says it was during his freshman year at Washington when the program went under NCAA sanctions. They lost scholarships and were placed on a two-year bowl ban.

“That was a time in my life when I knew how much I loved the University of Washington and I loved the program,” he says. “I understood what the foundation of the program was about. I respected the values that they had.”

Many of the other players were questioning if they wanted to stay and be a part of that football team because of the adversity.

“That was a time for me when it wasn’t even a choice about which way to go,” Fiala says. “I think the thing about loyalty is if you have to make a decision where you’re going to go, it’s not very loyal. If you truly believe and you have no other vision except what you believe, then you’re truly loyal to that cause.

Ultimately, loyalty is shown through actions, not through just words. Washington did lose a few players and suffered through a couple of hard years. But Fiala stuck it out and helped turn the program around by the time he graduated.

Lifetime Brother

Fiala was asked to help the Washington Lambda Chi Alpha chapter during some tough times too, as they did some member reviews to ensure the chapter’s ultimate success.

“It was a difficult decision, but I felt honored to be a part of it,” he says. “I believe I understand the commitment of brotherhood and what it can be and what being a good Lambda Chi does and what it can do to others.”

He would like to continue to be a positive influence on the undergraduate brothers. One day a few years from now, Fiala also would like to be involved with high school football.

“I believe I wouldn’t be in college or the professional aspect of it. It’s such a commitment away from family,” he says about coaching some day. “My family is my priority. I’m definitely loyal to them.”

He also tries to stay in touch with other chapter alumni brothers.

“I found a good core group of guys who shared the same core values and were motivated,” he says. “Those are my true friends that I know I can always rely on.”