Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/90990
Former Wahoo lacrosse players Guy Shipley (1985-87) and Jeff Nicklas (1982-86) have MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. Approxi- mately 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with MS. Today there is no cure, but new treat- ments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease. Each year, the National Multiple Scle- rosis Society sponsors 600 walks and 100 bike rides across the United States. Although these events cover multiple distances, they each have a common destination: a world free of MS. The Wakely Flyers have become a prominent presence in the National MS So- helped the Wakely Flyers raise more than $100,000 for MS research the past four years. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS WAKELY ciety's City to Shore Bike Ride, joining more than 150 teams and more than 7,000 riders. In the first year, led by Nick Gannon ('92) and Tom Burt ('90), the Wakely Flyers were recognized as a "Platinum" level team while raising more than $12,000. In 2009, Mike Smith ('90), Doug Corrigan ('89, '90 G) and John Beiger ('87) joined Burt and Gannon, and propelled the Flyers to "Diamond" level recognition by raising more than $23,000. Steve Anderson ('89), Jeff Nicklas ('86) and Guy Shipley ('87) came aboard in 2010 and 2011, and new levels of money were raised — $31,000 and $34,000, respectively. During the day's proceedings, you just can't miss the Hoos either on the road (they ride while proudly wearing orange-and-blue jerseys) or on the event's fund-raising leader Nick Gannon, a member of the Cavaliers lacrosse program in 1992, has been part of the Wakely Flyers each of the past four years. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS WAKELY board (the Cavalier-led Flyers are consis- tently among the top 20 City to Shore teams in money raised). The four to five hours spent pedaling across New Jersey is followed by a festive gathering where old teammates assemble with wives and children to share stories of flat tires, tall bridges (riders cross two sizable bridges as they enter Ocean City) and athletic accomplishments of yesteryear. What is not seen on the day of the ride are the countless Virginia lacrosse alums who send an encour- aging e-mail, place a phone call of support, submit an unsolicited donation to the cause or adjust their personal and professional schedules to unite with teammates. Smith, Anderson and Steve Wilt ('92) have travelled from as far as California, Ohio and North Carolina, respectively, with many other teammates gathering from the major cities in the Northeast. As impressive as the riders are, the day would not be possible without the support of their wives and children. Karen Terry Smith ('92) displays this "all hands on deck" ap- proach — she is an exceptional multi-tasker while traveling the roads of New Jersey with her three children to take photos, display homemade banners inscribed in blue and orange, and cheer on her fellow Wahoos. Gannon captured the emotion behind the Steve Anderson, who played lacrosse for UVa from 1987-89, displayed a Virginia T-shirt from the 1988 Division I Final Four at the finish line last year in Cherry Hill, N.J. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS WAKELY efforts of the team when he said: "Being a Wakely Flyer has helped me gain a new circle of friends and renew old friendships, and remind me that we are all in this together. Every little bit helps … all in the name of a worthy cause and my closest friend." ◆ APRIL 2012 ◆ 27