Sept. 12, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. - COLUMBIA, Mo. - For the fourth straight year the Mizzou swimming and diving team has adopted the fight against multiple sclerosis as its cause. The team will volunteer it's time to the MS 150 Biking Event that will start this Saturday.
The two-day, 150 mile event starts from two locations, Columbia and Troy, Missouri. The two groups come together in Mexico, Missouri for a camp-out before returning to their bikes and hitting the trail again for a return trip back to their respected origins.
The event brings together close to 2,000 bikers. This year 300 bikers from Columbia are expected. Each one of the bikers are put into teams of seven. For the fourth straight year Mizzou swimming and diving head coach Brian Hoffer will ride in the event with a team that includes his wife Pam and former Tiger swimmer Molly Vetter.
"I'm proud to be associated with this event for the fourth year. I consider it a great honor to be able to volunteer my time and raise money for this disease, but I'm even more proud of the (swimming and diving) team for doing the same. They realize that they have the power to make a difference not only in the community, but with the millions of people who are affected by this terrible disease," said Hoffer.
Last year the team alone raised over $4,000 for the care, research and development of a cure for those striken with multiple sclerosis. This year the team hopes to exceed that amount. The team will also assist in the MS 150 event by working at various water stations, cheering on the participants, filling water bottles, serving breakfast and loading luggage.
"I can't say enough about my team. They have so many responsibilities as student athletes and little time for themselves, but yet they volunteer their time to make a difference in someone's life that they don't even know," said Hoffer.
*For more information on how you can help in the fight against MS call 1-800-Fight MS (1-800-344-4867) or visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website at www.nmss.org.