Ann Arbor boy will bike 68 miles from Spartan Stadium to U-M's Big House on gameday
Sam Sugerman, 12, will be marking the U-M/MSU game with a bike ride from East Lansing to Ann Arbor to raise money for ALS research.
By JANET MILLER | For AnnArbor.com
Sam Sugerman likes to ride his bike.
And, as difficult as it can be in a town that oozes maize and blue, Sam is a Michigan State University fan, down to his goofy Spartan hat.
At the same time, Sam has a school friend whose father was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that robs its victims of mobility and eventually life. It’s also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
So when it came time for Sam to find a service project to mark his Bar Mitzvah, it was obvious what he had to do: On Saturday, he will ride his 24-speed Trek bike from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing to the Big House in Ann Arbor on the day the two football rivals meet.
“I like biking and I like Michigan State so I put the two together,” said Sam, a Tappan Middle School seventh grader.
He hopes to raise $3,000 from the stadium-to-stadium ride for Ann Arbor Active Against ALS, the grassroots non-profit that saw six women swim a double crossing of the English Channel this summer to set a world record and raise funds and awareness of A2A3.
With the energy of youth on his side (he plays soccer, baseball, football and lacrosse) Sam, 12, said he’s done little to specifically prepare for the ride, other than bike around town.
Still, he has no doubt he will easily make the 68-mile ride, even if there’s rain, snow or cold.
“I’m cold blooded,” he said.
But he ribs his mother, Gayle Rosen, that she could slow him down.
“I think it would take 10 hours with my mom, but five hours without my mom,” Sam deadpans. Rosen said she expects the trip to take seven hours, and Sam hopes to make it to the U-M stadium by the 3:30 p.m. game time.
Sam will have the support of his family: His parents, Rosen and Andy Sugerman, along with Sam’s two older brothers and an aunt will also make the trek.
While Sam will complete the entire 68 miles, his parents will take turns following in the family’s van. They’ve charted the route, and plan to take country roads.
A2A3 was founded after Bob Schoeni, a University of Michigan professor, was diagnosed with ALS in 2008. A couple of months later, friends and neighbors near his Burns Park home founded A2A3 in an effort to support ALS research. Sam’s family is friends with the Schoenis.
Sam will become a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth Emeth on Dec. 1, although he won’t turn 13 until the end of December.
Part of the process of officially becoming a man is to do a mitzvah project, a good deed for the community.
But serving the community is nothing new to Sam: He’s helped at the Delonis Center cleaning dishes, collected food for relief in Haiti and worked at the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
Sam’s ride will support the mission of A2A3 beyond raising funds, Rosen said.
“People with ALS can’t be as active as they once were, so A2A3 encourages people to be as active while they can.”
See A2A3 for information or to donate.
Comments
Jerry Schreiber
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
Go, not so little Sammy. Judy & I are rooting for you Dr Jerry Schreiber, MSU 63, 65
GoBlueNorth
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 2:30 a.m.
Great work Sam. Your parents and all Wolverine and Sparty fans are proud of you. Some of us Michigan fans would love to cheer for you as you approach the stadium or your finish point. What route are you approaching from? Good luck
Scott
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
How come kids don't ride their bike from downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor. Now that would be a real adventure.
MjC
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
Just be careful kid!
Lon Horwedel
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 11:53 a.m.
Hey Sammy, way to go!. Me, and the rest of the A's are proud of you! Can't wait to hear some of the quotes you'll come up with on this foray into Sugerman history. Here's hoping you get some decent weather and a nice tail wind. Good luck buddy.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 6:06 a.m.
Good luck, Sam. But remember to take some energy bars (or jell) and probably, you'll need one bottle of Gatoraide® or some other sports drink for every hour on your bike. That depends on temperature - the higher the temp, the more a cyclist needs to hydrate properly. Oh, and a good road bike is essential. Whatever happens, you've taken on a big challenge and people will appreciate your effort on behalf of a good cause.
Eli
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.
Great job Sam! You (and your oldest brother) are so CUTE! (Mostly your oldest brother though...)
Honest Abe
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
Great cause, but not worth the risk by possibly getting hit by a car or anything else out there. The cause alone should bring in donations without a young taking on a dangerous task. Country roads or not.
Bryan Ellinger
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
The plural of anecdote is not data. Cycling is statistically quite safe. (http://raisethehammer.org/article/617) Plus, cycling gets safer as the number of cyclists increases.
Honest Abe
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
When you have a friend or two die after getting hit by a car, perhaps you will keep your limited knowledge at best remarks to yourself. There is no myth to it Bryan.
Bryan Ellinger
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
Again the "cycling is too dangerous," myth raises its mistaken head.
Honest Abe
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
**Revised** Great cause, but not worth the risk by possibly getting hit by a car or anything else out there. The cause alone should bring in donations without a young kid taking on a dangerous task. Country roads or not.
Bulldog
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 12:04 a.m.
Way to go Sam! I'm cheering for you, but not your team! Go Blue!
Kinga Njilas
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
Way to go Sam!!! There are a few of us who biked in Napa Valley a few weekends ago for ALS as well!! We just want you to know how proud we are of you for taking this on!!! We will be cheering you on from home & from across the world!!!! I will be doing it from Canada!! THANK YOU for doing this ride! I lost my mom to ALS and this means a lot ,to a lot of people!
Kyle Ratliff
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.
Sam, this is simply amazing! What you have taken on and will accomplish is so generous. I wish you and your family a safe and successful ride. In this fight against ALS with you... Kyle
wolverine14
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
I hope the Wolverines beat the Spartans Saturday, but I am proud to have read this story about a great Spartan fan. Be safe Sam, and good luck!
Deenie Beenie
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
Sam I am very impressed and proud of you. I have lost several members of my family to ALS. My mother, both of my brothers, a cousin, an aunt and my grandmother. They all would be very proud of you too. I also have several family members that are very active in the A2A3 organization. They do fantastic things for the community and as well as bringing awareness to this disease. My husband is a Spartan! Game day will be even more special because of you! We will be watching and cheering you on from Texas! Thank you for having such a giving heart. GO GREEN GO WHITE!!!!
nancy
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
I'll be rooting for you on Saturday, even though we have never met. Congrats to parents Gayle and Andy for impressing great values on their son. Mazel tov!
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 9 p.m.
I wish them a safe ride. What an awesome task.
bikerfan
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
Hopefully his bike is not too small for him, otherwise he may need to switch with his other family members on the ride!
music to my ear
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
its certainly going to be an interesting ride I am sure. good luck Sam it is nice of you to think of others, Stay that way you will go further in life , than that bike could take you.
Patty Bradley
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
What a great kid! I haven't seen his Spartan hat, but I doubt it is goofy.
Top Cat
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
May God have blessed Sam with strong legs!
snark12
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
And a soft bicycle seat!
aareader
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
Way to go, Sam!!