Naval Academy Class of 1975 Completes 1,200-Mile Charity Ride

A group of graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1975 has successfully completed a remarkable 1,200-mile charity bike ride, culminating on October 18, 2023, at the iconic “Bill the Goat” statue on the academy’s Annapolis campus. The three-week event, known as the Gulf to Goat Charity Ride, involved over 20 alumni cycling to raise funds for various charitable organizations, marking the class’s 50th reunion.

The ride commenced on October 1 in Apalachicola, Florida, and concluded with the finish line crossed at 14:40 local time. According to an event news release, the initiative aimed to foster fitness, camaraderie, and philanthropic efforts among cycling classmates, family, and friends.

Participants raised more than $160,000 to support a class project and contribute to multiple nonprofits, including the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Emily Whitehead Foundation. This foundation advocates for patients affected by cancer and rare diseases, a cause particularly close to the hearts of many riders.

The ride was inspired by alumni Mike Meier and Dan Murphy, who began planning two years prior to the reunion. They identified five charities to support through this endeavor. Gary Jones, a retired rear admiral and vice president for the Class of 1975, shared, “This started about two years ago when Mike and Dan were thinking: What can we do to celebrate our 50th reunion?”

Among the participants were graduates who rode the entire distance and others who joined for segments. Notably, Mike Donnelly, a 2000 graduate, participated alongside his father, retired Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly, to raise awareness and funds for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

The final day of the ride saw Jeff Webb, president of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation and a 1995 graduate, join the group. Jones reflected on the dedication of the riders, stating, “If you can imagine a bunch of 72-year-olds riding bicycles, some of these guys have been practicing for more than a year and put about 5,000 miles on their bicycles in anticipation of doing this.”

To celebrate their achievement, a gathering was scheduled for the evening of the completion at the Captain’s Daughter Restaurant at the Westin Annapolis. Additionally, a fireside chat was planned for the following day at O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern in Annapolis, focusing on the mission behind the ride and the initiatives benefiting the Emily Whitehead Foundation.

The Emily Whitehead Foundation, established by the parents of Emily Whitehead, who was the first child to receive life-saving CAR T-cell therapy, works to ensure greater access to advanced treatments and supports individuals facing cancer and rare diseases. This charity ride not only celebrated the graduates’ milestone but also reinforced their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.