Quarterly Recognition – July 2026

If you know a volunteer, undergraduate, or would like to nominate your chapter to be recognized in the Quarterly, fill out this simple form. The volunteer recognition is not limited to Chapter Advisors and Province Archons, and the undergraduate recognition is not limited to Sages.

Undergraduate of the Quarter

A Picture-Perfect Freshman Year
Ian Itzkowitz (NC State ’25) Balances Basketball Photography with Brotherhood
Will Marsh (Pennington & Company), contributing writer

Since sophomore year of high school, Ian Itzkowitz (Raleigh, NC ’25) has run his own freelance sports media company, I Squared Media LLC. He specializes in photography, videography, and graphic design, having built an impressive network and portfolio by the time he graduated. Itzkowitz knew he would attend NC State and began following its sports media staff on social media.

“One of those people was Patrick Hart, the director of creative content for NC State men’s basketball,” Itzkowitz said. “I didn’t expect anything to come from following him, but a couple of weeks later, I received a message. He complimented my work and invited me to join the team as a media intern. Of course I accepted!”

That led to Itzkowitz’s thrilling role as a photographer for the Athletics men’s basketball team, which he calls an “absolutely amazing” experience. “Being able to attend practices and get a behind the-scenes look at the inner workings of our basketball team, getting to sit courtside during the games, and even talking to and interacting with players on and off the court – all of it is awesome. I am so grateful to be in this position.”

Unexpected Support
On top of that commitment, Itzkowitz chose to study industrial and product design, a time-consuming major at NC State. He assumed he simply wouldn’t have time for a fraternity, even if he wanted to join. A hometown friend from Sigma Pi added him to their recruitment list anyway, and he decided he should at least attend an event and meet brothers.

“When I first got there, I was met by a group of extremely kind and genuine guys,” he recalled. There wasn’t a single person he didn’t enjoy talking with, and he knew instantly he wanted to make friends within Rho Chapter. “Everyone was very understanding of my time commitments and assured me that school and work would come first, which made me feel even more comfortable about the Fraternity.”

Itzkowitz took a few days to think it over, then he signed his bid card; he hasn’t once regretted it throughout his freshman year. “Sigma Pi has given me an outlet to relieve some of the stress and pressure that comes from schoolwork and my job. Through playing intramural sports, going to events like our mountain weekend, or just hanging out with brothers after a long day, spending time with them always makes my days better.”

An Unforgettable Year
Itzkowitz’s favorite day as a basketball photographer, so far, came on February 17, when the NC State Wolfpack defeated UNC-Chapel Hill at home by 24 points. He sat courtside in a sold-out Lenovo Center Arena – surrounded by a crowd so loud his Apple Watch warned him of possible hearing damage from the noise levels.

“Multiple people texted me to say they saw me on TV during the game,” he said. “The most surreal feeling was sitting courtside next to our bench when the final buzzer sounded and getting to run onto the court with everyone going absolutely crazy. I just felt like I had worked so hard to get to that moment, and it had all paid off.

As a freshman, Itzkowitz looks forward to making many more memories with the team and his Sigma Pi brothers. One of his early Fraternity highlights was a weekend mountain trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with his girlfriend and about 30 Rho Chapter members. They arrived to a huge house with a gorgeous mountain view, exploring the town during the day and meeting for dinner at night.

“It was a time to bond with everyone, especially older brothers whom I don’t see as often, and build deeper friendships together. Every day, I’m grateful the brotherhood has helped me through my new member education process and supported me in balancing my social, academic, and professional life.”

Building a Future Together
The time management Itzkowitz has learned through Sigma Pi also proved crucial for his athletic internship. Each day on the job, he works with a team of fellow creatives to quickly turn around content for fans. The job takes constant communication and effort to meet deadlines, all while capturing the game in ways that will please fans who don’t get to experience them in person.

This work ethic also helped Itzkowitz get into an extremely competitive major in which he combines creativity and problem-solving in his design projects. He hopes to become an entrepreneur and develop products that provide thoughtful solutions for small frustrations in daily life. “I think my design background and my experience running an independent media business have given me a strong foundation to eventually pursue that path as a career.”

Along the way, Itzkowitz knows he’ll have Sigma Pi around for life – with the men standing beside him on his wedding day, going on vacations, and raising families together, and maybe even as his business partners.

“Photography challenges me creatively and professionally, while Sigma Pi challenges me socially and personally. Together, they have helped shape who I am during my first year of college. This reinforces the same lesson for me: when you surround yourself with driven, supportive people, you grow faster than you ever could on your own. That is something I will carry with me long after college.”

If you’d like to connect with Itzkowitz, he can be reached at ianitz321@gmail.com.