Alumnus raises money, participates in triathlon

    A 1,500m swim, a 40k bike ride and a 10k run. Physically challenging and mentally exhausting, but one Murray State alumnus is determined to beat the course and raise money for a good cause in the process.
    Josh Ricks, Murray State alumnus, will participate July 26 in the Nautica NYC Triathlon. Ricks will raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a cause he said he picked because of experiences at Murray State.
    Ricks said he will participate in honor of Hombra Dennis, a Lambda Chi Alpha alumnus and leukemia survivor, and Susan Green, an Alpha Delta Pi alumna and lymphoma survivor.
    “I have a personal connection to these blood cancers and find extreme motivation through (Dennis) and (Green) to meet and exceed the challenges ahead – both physically and philanthropically,” Ricks wrote on his teamsintraining.org fundraising page. “They are the real heroes on our team.”
    Because of these alumni, Ricks said Murray State seemed like a good place to hold a campaign. Ricks contacted Greek organizations on campus to help raise money for the cause.
    Ricks said the Lambda Chi’s teamed up with Sigma Phi Epsilon to host a party last week, raising $1,000. Though a RockBand competition was scheduled to coincide with the party, scheduling conflicts cancelled the event.
    Ricks, who works with MTV Networks, originally acquired tickets to the MTV Movie Awards as a raffle or auction prize in addition to a RockBand bundle and tickets to David Letterman. As of now, Ricks said he does not know how to incorporate these prizes into his fundraising.
    “Maybe we were too ambitious with where we wanted to go with the event,” Ricks said. “We had great ideas, great incentives, great ways to integrate the MTV brand and get alumni involved, but sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to play it. It still worked out and we have $1,000, and that was the goal all along.”
    Ricks said when he told Dennis and Green about raising money for the LLS, they were excited for him to get involved with the organization and participate in the triathlon.
     “They were like, ‘You’re doing a triathlon? Are you crazy?’” Ricks said. “Once I told them what it was for and what my goals were they were both on board (to help).”
     To prepare for the July event, Ricks said he participates in Team in Training. Ricks said the group meets Tuesdays to train for the running, Wednesdays for swimming and Saturdays for biking and running.
    “It’s very team-oriented and helps you be accountable,” Ricks said. “People are there mentoring you, coaching you every step of the way. It’s grueling sometimes, but it’ll definitely be worth it in the end.”
    According to teamintraining.org, 380,000 participants have trained with the Team in the past 20 years. The LLS has invested more than $600 million in research since 1949. Those interested in learning more about the Team, the LLS or how to donate to the cause can check out teamintraining.org.
    “If you can’t (support) monetarily, then do it with your time and with your abilities,” Ricks said. “Maybe not everyone can do a triathlon, but (maybe) you could do a marathon or a half marathon. Get involved some way, give back. It doesn’t have to be that you can give $100 or $50, you can just give your gift of service.”
    Charlotte Kyle can be reached at charlotte.kyle@murraystate.edu.