Naval Academy Class of ’75 Completes 1,200-Mile Charity Ride

UPDATE: A group of U.S. Naval Academy graduates has just completed a remarkable 1,200-mile charity bike ride, celebrating their 50th reunion with a journey that began on October 1, 2023, in Apalachicola, Florida. The ride, known as the Gulf to Goat Charity Ride, concluded at 2:40 p.m. at the iconic “Bill the Goat” statue on the academy’s Annapolis campus.

The ride, organized by the Class of 1975, aimed to raise funds for five charitable organizations, including the Emily Whitehead Foundation, which advocates for cancer patients, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over the course of 22 days, participants raised more than $160,000 for these vital causes, uniting cycling classmates, family, and friends in support of fitness and philanthropy.

More than 20 alumni participated in the ride, with some completing the entire journey while others joined for segments. Notable riders included Mike Donnelly, a 2000 graduate who cycled alongside his father, retired Vice Adm. Jay Donnelly, to raise awareness for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

“This initiative began two years ago when classmates Mike Meier and Dan Murphy decided to celebrate their 50th reunion by supporting five charities,” said Gary Jones, a retired rear admiral and vice president for the Naval Academy Class of 1975. “The commitment was extraordinary, with many riders training for over a year and logging around 5,000 miles in preparation.”

The completion of the ride was marked by a celebratory gathering at the Captain’s Daughter Restaurant in Annapolis, where participants shared stories from their incredible journey. On Thursday at 11 a.m., a special fireside chat is scheduled at O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern to discuss the mission behind the ride and its impact on beneficiaries.

The Emily Whitehead Foundation, founded by the parents of Emily Whitehead, the first child to receive life-saving CAR T-cell therapy, stands at the forefront of this effort, advocating for greater access to advanced cancer treatments. The emotional impact of this ride resonates deeply, with alumni expressing their pride in contributing to such significant causes.

As the community comes together to celebrate this extraordinary achievement and the funds raised, the Class of 1975 exemplifies commitment, camaraderie, and a drive to make a difference. Stay tuned for more updates on the impact of their efforts and how these funds will support vital research and patient care initiatives.