Nathan Sauls of Virginia Eta at Virginia Tech was identified by his chapter as a main driver behind the chapter’s effort to raise $13,436 and become an Iron Phi Chapter for the first time during the 2023-24 school year. Virginia Eta also earned Live Like Lou’s Triple Crown Award, rewarding chapters that accomplish three things during a school year:
- Register to serve an ALS family
- Raise $444+ through a Live Like Lou philanthropy event, and
- Become an Iron Phi Chapter by raising $10,000+ through its Iron Phi participants
In this feature, Brother Sauls shares insights from his Iron Phi experience that helped him lead his chapter to success.
What Phi Delt chapter officer positions have you held?
External Philanthropy Chair, Standards of Excellence Chair, and Iron Phi Captain
Approximately what percentage of your chapter was engaged with Iron Phi this past year?
90%
What specific tactics did you use to motivate others to register for Iron Phi and begin their effort?
When it came to getting the chapter involved in Iron Phi, it was very easy. The chapter is very supportive of not only each other, but the amazing cause Phi Delta Theta represents. We would make sure to discuss everyone’s Iron Phi events each week at chapter and shared updates on them. We turned it into a competition of sorts among brothers to help them raise more, and this tactic was amplified when the Fraternity-wide Iron Phi competitions rolled around. Everyone started to pitch in to win. Ultimately, we had a goal of becoming an Iron Phi Chapter which pushed everyone.
For the individuals who had the most Iron Phi success, what common things did you see them do?
Dedication and discipline were the two most common things I saw from our most successful Iron Phi athletes. They trained incredibly hard and stuck to their routines and regimens. They not only wanted to complete their event, but they wanted to excel in it and represent Phi Delta Theta at Virginia Tech as well as they could.
What other chapter benefits did you see that may have stemmed from a number of people succeeding with Iron Phi?
Chapter engagement as a whole increased tremendously through the Iron Phi process. From everyone wanting to help each other out through donations or training to brothers competing against each other in certain events, one way or another, everyone was getting involved to help out this amazing cause.
What would you tell individuals or chapters who are worried about the fundraising component of becoming an Iron Phi or Iron Phi Chapter?
Personally, this was the part I was most nervous about. All I will say is trust your brothers, friends, family, and the Phi Delta Theta community. They will help get you to above and beyond your goal. Don’t stress over the fundraising aspects, just focus on your training and putting in the hard work, because the rest will come with all the effort you put in.
What has surprised you most about your chapter’s Iron Phi success?
It wasn’t so much a surprise, but rather just a proud moment for us when we officially became an Iron Phi Chapter. It was the first time in the history of our chapter at Virginia Tech that we became an Iron Phi Chapter. It was an incredible moment for the whole chapter to achieve this goal that we had set at the beginning of the year. It felt amazing to achieve that goal, and it felt even better to know how much we raised to help to leave ALS and Phi Delta Theta better than we found it.
What personal lessons have you learned from your Iron Phi experience?
I learned a lot from the Iron Phi experience, especially about having true discipline. When training for my half marathon there were some days that I truly did not want to get up and run, but I knew to achieve the time I wanted to, I needed to get the training in. This experience also helped me discover the passion I have for the sport. I am now training to compete in the Eagleman Ironman 70.3 in Maryland on June 8, 2025.
If members from your chapter have served an ALS family, what benefits have you seen from this service?
The greatest thing about going to help ALS families in the community is getting to know them. They are always the nicest and happiest people. From hearing their stories to learning life lessons, it is always an amazing experience. It is also an amazing feeling knowing how much the time and effort we gave means to them. It is an amazing experience, and I wilI continue to provide my energy and time to them even after my time at Virginia Tech is done.
To become an Iron Phi, visit www.ironphi.org to begin your journey.
