In Loving Memory

In April of 2026, we lost one of Chi Iota's best, John Polyak.

From the very start of his life, John had the voice and personality that he would eventually take with him to Heaven. Even as a toddler, his sweet voice was loud, and he would talk to and make friends with anyone.

He loved everything sports, and impressed many with his near photographic memory of Chicago sports teams statistics. He treasured his time on the golf course as a player, a caddy, and virtually on Golden Tee, as well as moments on the driveway playing basketball with his siblings.

Although a majority of us at Chi Iota only knew John for a few years, he is known as one of the nicest guys in the house. Pork (as we nicknamed him) typically led the charge to play pickup basketball. He played on our IM softball team and had just been named kitchen manager at Joes Brewery, where he would reliably supply his brothers with cheese curds.

John will be remembered and missed forever. Let him serve as a reminder that it is okay to not be okay, that we should make an effort to check up on one another, and that it is important to reach out for help - there is always someone ready to listen.