Miles for Wall, Futures for All Starts on April 2

Sat, 03/28/2026 - 12:00

By: Damon Markiewicz

There’s a familiar saying in sports about those rare moments when a game becomes more than competition and it becomes a testament to something deeper. For retired faculty members Bob Accorsi, G’80, Kevin McAllister, and Ben Taylor ’99, G’15, director of East Campus and outdoor programs, that “something deeper” is the friendship that has carried them through 14 long-distance bike rides and now fuels their 15th journey together.

This year’s ride, “Miles for Wall, Futures for All,” holds an ever-greater meaning. It is dedicated to the memory of their late friend and colleague, Kenneth A. Wall, G’73, DPE’75, whose impact on Springfield College continues to inspire their commitment and camaraderie.

This year’s bike ride will journey through the Florida East Coast Greenway, starting in Jacksonville, and head all the way south into Key West. The route has a special meaning because it is the trip that Wall had planned with Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor before his passing in July 2025.

“Ken was such a great friend, and I know he was excited for our next bike ride together,” explained Accorsi. “To be able to honor him, and his wife Sonja, G’76, we are really looking forward to keeping his memory alive while also supporting our current students in his memory.”

Springfield College was home to Ken, G'73, DPE'75, and Sonja, G'76, Wall for more than five decades. In that time, 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 will benefit 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.

“Anyone who got to know Ken understands that he was passionate about helping our students and making connections,” explained Accorsi. “He loved Springfield College, and he always wanted to give back to our community.”

Alumni Events Along the Route

And just like Wall did on his many trips across the country and abroad, Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor will stop to meet up with Springfield College alumni, families, and friends along their route. The biking group will host three alumni socials in Florida starting on April 2 in Jacksonville, followed by a stop in Fort Lauderdale on April 7, and concluding in Key West on April 11. To view locations, times, and to RSVP, individuals can visit the Miles for Wall, Futures for All Registration Page. The social gatherings along the route will also be great opportunities to remember the power of the Springfield College alumni and friends connection.

“During his time as a faculty member, Ken did over 100 internship site visits, in 30 states, and four nations,” explained Sonja. “The site visits were so important to Ken, not only to build connections with the students, but he also wanted to become a better teacher. He believed in witnessing first-hand the impact these students and their supervisors were having out in their field. In addition, his faculty colleagues were more than just colleagues. They, too, became family.”

In 2016, while on sabbatical from the College, Ken once again showcased the importance of staying connected with people, as he used his time to visit with more than 50 alumni in five different nations. Ken summarized this experience perfectly by explaining, “Caminar es vivir, pero, caminar con amigos es major," which means, "walking is living, but walking with friends is better.”

Updates from the Bike Crew

As this year’s ride commences on Thursday, April 2, the origin of just how this bike ride has evolved amongst four great friends is at the forefront. Retired chair of the Springfield College Department of Sport Management Kevin McAllister has been documenting their journey together beautifully in a weekly news update, as the crew prepares for this year’s ride. To truly gain an appreciation of how this bike tradition began, one must read the updates. This excerpt below really captures what this trip is, and always will be, about.

“There is more to biking than simply biking. It was (and always will be) about camaraderie, collaboration, laughter, and motivation,” explained McAllister. “We will keep riding to honor Ken’s international and personal legacy – he will always be with us.”

A strong believer in building international relations, Wall was director of the International Center for 21 years and continued his international work as a faculty member. Miles for Wall, Futures for All spans over 500 miles. Within that distance, the memories and stories shared amongst Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor, will highlight “The Why” this ride is so important to so many people. It’s more than just biking 500 miles, it’s about friendship, connection, and keeping the spirit alive of a person who touched so many lives.

“As we get ready for what would have been Ken’s 15th bike trip, we can’t help but reflect on how it all began,” explained McAllister. “Three Springfield College department colleagues having a taste of the grape with a good friend who suggested we should start biking. Biking was just the by-product of a friendship that grew from the great and humorous stories that came out of these trips.”

In the end, “Miles for Wall, Futures for All” is a tribute to friendship, mentorship, and the enduring impact one person can have on an entire community. As Accorsi, McAllister, and Taylor pedal forward, they carry Wall’s spirit with them, transforming their miles into momentum for future generations. Their journey honors the past, strengthens the bonds that shaped it, and ensures that Wall’s legacy continues to inspire long after the ride is done.