We had the opportunity to speak with Matthew Weisberg ’97 about Kappa Sigma, his infamous nickname, and what has come of his career since graduation. Like many involved in Greek life, Weisberg had a story behind his choice in fraternity. Originally, he rushed in the fall of his freshman year, but at this point he felt Greek life was not for him and he did not feel comfortable with them, nor did he think they were comfortable with him. Those fraternities that he rushed in the fall seemed to be too homogenous, elitist and cliquey; in short, stand-offish…but this changed. In the spring, he pledged and was initiated into the Alpha-Delta Chapter, but why the sudden change? “Alpha-Delta at that time [and well before] had a history of personality diversity; simply, there were a lot of different characters; that mix made me as an individual feel comfortable, truly at home, and relaxed,” said Matthew about Kappa Sigma. He had the assistance of his big-brother, Steve “Squash” Ruth ’96, and the kind and enthusiastic Rush Chair, Jeff “Monty” Montgomery ’94, “They had me at ‘hello’.”
While in Kappa Sigma, Weisberg earned himself a nickname that still persists today. His nickname is “Gooch.” Why this nickname? According to Matthew, there was a prior “Gooch” before him, Mike Forlenza ’93, and Weisberg slightly resembled him. When he was dubbed “Gooch,” Donald Bradford ’94 and Chris Piontko ’94 declared that “every house needs a Gooch.” Many of the other brothers have shed their fraternity nicknames, such as “Squash” and “Slobby,” but not Weisberg.
Since his graduation, Gooch has become a lawyer at his own firm, Weisberg Law. His business focuses on “…complex and aggressive litigation primarily involving individual/consumer and small business rights.” Weisberg likes to define it as truly “David and Goliath.” Their primary function is to handle professional negligence that comes from financial matters, such as legal malpractice-suing lawyers, consumer fraud, civil rights and employment, real estate (including foreclosures) and small business disputes. Their clients are not all that far off from the individualistic mix of personalities that he encountered at Alpha-Delta.
Why law? The answer is simple. His father was a lawyer and made Matthew interested in becoming one himself. “I think the law’s intended ability to level an otherwise uneven playing field by disciplined advocacy, street smarts, business skills, and brains piqued my ultimate interest in becoming a lawyer – much to my father’s original dismay,” said Matthew, “I can think of no other profession where academics, people skills, business smarts, aggression, oral and written advocacy, and management and organization collide so necessarily equally.”
Matthew feels his job becomes worthwhile when he is paid to provide an invaluable service that he feels no other lawyer could. He states that, “I think that sense of individual worth and hard-work reward comes from the fraternity, and it makes me feel good when I can deliver unique results.” Weisberg feels the best knowing that his work has developed a reputation that now, despite suing attorneys, represents a decent amount of attorneys whenever the service is need in some of their very serious personal matters.
Reflecting back on his days in Kappa Sigma, the most prominent day is the day he received his bid. The day he was initiated is also definitely up there. In fact, if he could relive one day, initiation day would be it because of “the anxious anticipation and then the penultimate moment of acceptance cannot be beaten.” Receiving his bid helped him to forget how disenchanted with Greek life he had previously been. Other vivid memories include being elected Grand Procurator-in absentia. He received this position while working and studying abroad in Australia and, after unsuccessfully having run for other positions, earning this one was a wonderful memory. “Even in my long six month absence, I was remembered and needed,” said Weisberg of his election to this office.
To the undergraduates, Weisberg wishes to give a bit of advice. Although he was initially attracted to Alpha Delta due to its personality mix and the counter-culture it had to offer, it also led him to become critical of others conversely. And so, Weisberg said, “I would advise being more accepting; I wish I had been at some important fraternity times.”
To other alumni, read carefully. Weisberg sees a few of his brothers every summer or so when they visit the Outer Banks, including Tom Tatem ’98, Kevin Hacker ’98, Matt Dippold ’98, Darby Neidig ’93, and Jason Striker ’96. Also, he catches up with Shawn Huber ’96 over dinner occasionally. He spends Halloween celebrating with brothers Dustin Harvey ’93 and Mike Valenti ’90. To hang out with both Don Bradford and Chris Piontko just one more time is something he would really love to do. Also, he was very close with Brian “Grimace” McLaughlin ’94, but according to Weisberg he has “disappeared into the alumni ether.” While Grimace seems to have disappeared, Gooch would really enjoy being able to see or talk to him again just to catch up.
Looking ahead to the future, we inquired about just what Weisberg wishes to accomplish for his “life’s mission”, and he paraphrased “The Natural” by saying that when he walks down the street, he wants other lawyers to say “there’s the best that ever was.”