Miles for Wall, Futures for All Bike Ride Nearing Finish Line in

By: Damon Markiewicz

As the “Miles for Wall, Futures for All” bike ride glides towards the finish line, the 600-mile journey has been filled with great connection with alumni and friends, and many memories of the bike crew bonding together while overcoming challenges presented by mother nature and flat tires. Most importantly, the trip has been about people coming together to help achieve a special goal in memory of Kenneth A. Wall, G'73, DPE'75.

It can’t be stated enough that this 15th ride together for Bob Accorsi, G'80, Kevin McAllister, and Ben Taylor '99, G'15, is all about paying homage to Wall and the trip he had planned with his friends before his passing in July 2025. Biking from Jacksonville all the way south to Key West along the Florida East Coast Greenway is being fulfilled.

Following a very successful alumni event in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, April 7, the bike crew continued to travel south with a goal of biking the 68 miles to Homestead, Fla. by Wednesday night. Unfortunatly, mother nature was willing to add some challenges.

Anything worth achieving is worth working for, and the torrential rains made Wednesday’s travel day one to remember. After three hours of Florida downpours to start the day, followed by a mixture of sun and heat as they navigated through Miami and South Beach, the skies opened up again as they continued their focus on the Florida Keys.

“It was a challenging day from Fort Lauderdale to Homestead, but very much worth it,” said Accorsi. “It was really awesome riding for miles next to the Florida Everglades.”

By Thursday, April 9, the crew officially made it to the Florida Keys after a 35-mile journey and multiple tire maintenance repairs. They nestled in Tavernier on Thursday night and enjoyed the news of the day, which was the Dr. Kenneth A. Wall International Travel Award reached its goal of $10,000 raised during the bike trip. The great news once again put the ride in proper perspective, and made everyone so proud.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for their support and helping us raise funds that will continue to help current students in Dr. Wall’s memory,” added Accorsi.

Riding the momentum of positivity, the crew started their weekend on Friday, April 10 with a 45-mile ride into Marathon, Fla. After the previous 48 hours, the adventure into the Florida Keys was a ride down an easy path.

“Crossing 10 bridges, and having no breakdowns, we arrived in Marathon a happy group,” explained McAllister. “We are so thankful for all of the support. Ken would be so proud, and we are all very truly grateful. Beautiful skies and beautiful beaches, Ken would have loved the view.”

As the bike crew continued towards Key West, Sonja Wall, G’76, visited the Springfield College campus and had the opportunity to view the images McAllister, Accorsi, and Taylor have been sending.

“This means so much to our family,” explained Sonja. “I am so thankful for the bikers, and everyone who has supported this ride. Everyone who has made a gift, and has spent time together at the alumni events, it’s all so special. It’s always about building connections with people.”

Starting the week, the bike crew spent the evening of Monday, April 6, in Jupiter, Fla., where the group met up with long-time friend of the College, Joe Cardoropoli, who moved to Jupiter about 10 years ago.

“I have known Joe for 60 years, so he is a very special guy,” explained Accorsi. “Joe is my brother’s best friend, and he cooked us a fabulous meal on Monday before we prepared our trip south to Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday. Connecting with others, just like Dr. Wall.”

By the morning of Tuesday, April 7, Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor were back on the bikes, enjoying some paved roads on their way to Fort Lauderdale. Tuesday evening, the crew was set to meet up with more Springfield College alumni and enjoy the power of the alumni network.

Hosted by Jackie Pires Foran '11 and her father Glenn Pires '80, Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor connected with retired men’s basketball coach Charlie Brock '76, Senior Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Julie Considine Tyson, and men’s volleyball and sport management alumnus Eric Johnson '16, who is currently a member of the volleyball coaching staff at the University of Miami. The gathering was the second alumni networking event as part of the bike ride. Connecting with alumni was a key focus for Dr. Wall during his time at Springfield College, and the get-togethers remain a key component of the bike journey to keep Wall's spirit alive.

“A big thank you to Jackie (Foran) and her family for hosting, and having the care packages available when we check into the hotels,” added McAllister. “Connecting with everyone is what makes this ride special, so it was great seeing everyone, and we appreciate everyone’s support. Sharing stories of why we all love the College is always a great moment.”

Beginning the trip, the bike crew touched down in the Sunshine State on Thursday, April 2, and alumni and friends helped celebrate the commencement of their journey with an alumni and families event at the Casa Maria in Jacksonville Beach.

Hosted by Springfield College Alumni and Family Relations Associate Director Maria D'Agostino Crawford '91, P'24, the bike crew was joined by Peter Brunetta '18, Stuart Davis '91, Kristin Pebley Morgan '88, G'92, Gary Nevolis '13, and Emma Wesoloski '22. It was an evening that would have made Dr. Wall very proud.

“It was great to connect with so many of our alumni who have supported the College over the years, and it was a perfect way to start the trip,” explained Taylor. “Anyone who knew Ken knows how important it was to him to connect with alumni and friends during his trips. We paid tribute to his memory.”

As Taylor, Accorsi, and McAllister jumped on the bikes to start their ride on Friday, April 3, connecting with people was just as important to the group as was completing their 61-mile route they had set as their goal for the first day.

Pedaling underneath beautiful sunny skies, Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor made their voyage down from Jacksonville, to St. Augustine, and eventually to Palm Coast. The lunch-time stop in St. Augustine allowed for the group to visit with a former long-time Springfield College employee, Kathryn Larue, who McAllister and Accorsi hadn’t seen in about 10 years.

“We were able to meet up with Kathy and her husband Adrian in St. Augustine,” explained Accorsi. “We hadn’t seen her in about a decade, and she was our administrative associate when Dr. Matt Pantera was the Sport Management Chair. We also had an opportunity to say a prayer for Dr. Pantera, who had a condominium in St. Augustine. Just a great day of connecting with others, and a beautiful ride.”

As the bike crew headed into the weekend, they set out to reach their goal of 85 miles on Saturday, April 4. About 25 miles into their trip on Saturday, a stop at Rosie’s Café in Ormond Beach was necessary. Rosie’s is self-described as a family-style restaurant, offering some of the best breakfast and lunch specials anyone can find in the state of Florida. Rosie’s also is home to the $1 mimosa, but with 60-plus miles left on the bike route that day, the crew was wise to stick with water as they journeyed to Titusville.

Titusville is a premier "Trail Town" featuring major cycling paths like the Coast to Coast and East Coast Greenway, while the 1.5-mile paved Sweetheart Trail is located separately in Daytona Beach. Titusville offers extensive waterfront, nature, and commuter trails connecting to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Starting on Monday, April 6, McAllister, Accorsi, and Taylor started their 60-mile path finishing in the Jupiter area, where dinner plans with good friends was on the agenda.

“Certainly, want to send out a huge thanks to everyone who is supporting us on the journey,” said McAllister, who has been helping document the trip with updated videos. “There have been some great views of beaches and great views of wildlife. Overall, it’s been a great ride, and we appreciate everyone’s support back home.”

As the ride continued and the crew kept riding towards their final destination in Key West, the social gatherings along the route were great opportunities to remember the power of the Springfield College alumni and friends connection.

“The Why to Support the Kenneth A. Wall International Travel Award”

This year’s ride continues to be dedicated to Ken, G'73, DPE'75, and Sonja, G'76, Wall. For more than five decades, the couple made life-long friendships with individuals who became members of their extended family. As a result, they always remained committed to giving back to their adopted home. This year’s bike ride benefits the Dr. Kenneth A. Wall International Travel Award, which was established in 2019 to pay homage to Wall’s dedication to international education, and also celebrate his retirement and more than 40 years of service to Springfield College. The scholarship is designed to assist deserving students who have proven high academic achievement and community service in their field and are participating in an international experience.