Largo Man To Complete Memorial Ride Benefiting MDA

Published on June 14, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA - A local bicyclist and a fan of the Tampa Bay Storm will complete a 140-mile memorial ride to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Saturday, June 16.

Bill Thomas, who lost his son Ben to Muscular Dystrophy in 1997, will honor his son's memory by completing the ride from Titusville to Hudson Beach in less than 12 hours. The ride will begin at Kennedy Point Park, Titusville, at 6. a.m. Thomas said he would like to make this event an annual tradition.

Thomas is the father of Ben Thomas, a Storm Surge Fan Club member who passed away Friday, May 30, 1997 at the age of 23. Ben suffered from Duchenne dystrophy, the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy.

Ben became a fan of the Storm in 1991 and missed only two games. He and his canine companion Ernie were active participants in the fan club. Each year the fan club presents a member of the Storm with the Ben Thomas Award, in recognition of community service. This season's recipient was Nyle Wiren.

"I remember Ben and Ernie in the front row," said Head Coach and General Manager Tim Marcum. "He was not only one of our biggest fans, but one of our most loyal fans. His memory is still with us today."

For more information regarding how to sponsor this ride, or other local programs, please contact Jennifer Bell at jbell@mdausa.org or (727) 577-1700.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 14, 2007


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