Why do you spin for Steven?
Being a part of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Louisville was one of the most important aspects of Steven’s life…so much so that the Pike crest is included on his gravestone. That’s why the annual Spin for Steven cycling fundraiser is so dear to us. This is an event that Steven’s brothers carry out in his memory and it tremendously helps us carry out our mission to help find a cure for sarcoma.
With the fourth annual event right around the corner, we asked some current members what Spin for Steven means to them and what motivates them to continue putting on such an incredible event.
We’ve compiled their responses below for your reading pleasure.
“Spin for Steven has provided an outlet for me and other PIKEs to achieve personal, professional, and even spiritual growth—all while benefiting a cause so near to our hearts. Without a doubt, Steven's legacy has been cemented into the University of Louisville community for years to come.” - Alex McGrath
“Going into the fourth year of Spin for Steven and this being my fourth and final year of college and being an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha, everything is beginning to come full circle. Leading up to the event, I always feel myself hoping to fulfill Steven’s legacy through our similar upbringings and faith-driven families. I hope that Pi Kappa Alpha continues to support the Vanover family and foundation for years to come with hopes that no young adult has to endure the same disease that deprived Steven of carrying out his impressive list of life goals.” - Daniel Bird
“Seeing the birth and growth of Spin for Steven during my four years in PIKE has been truly remarkable. It’s a great experience each year knowing we are making a difference in our community and world, while having a personal cause to tie it back to.” - Connor Burns
“SFS has been really eye-opening. It helped teach me that when people really come together and focus on something really special like Steven, we can accomplish anything. I never really knew what philanthropy really was or entailed, and I’m grateful that I got to have my eyes opened to it for something like SFS.” - Dylan Haas
“I spin for my brother Derek. Derek was a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter. He was one of my best friends. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 from testicular cancer. After losing one brother, I was inspired to join Pi Kappa Alpha and found 100 new brothers. These past four years have meant the world to me. And I’m proud I get to carry on his legacy. Spin for Steven helps me connect not only to Steven, but to my brother as well. Every year has been an awesome experience and I’m so glad I get to raise money for cancer research. I wasn’t able to save my brother but I know through Spin for Steven I can help save others going through the same thing.” - Jacob Dvorjak
“Spin for Steven has added value to my college experience beyond belief. Since it got started my sophomore year, I have been more and more involved in this philanthropy and love seeing the difference we've been able to make in our partnership with the Steven Vanover Foundation.” - Salaar Zuberi
“For me, Spin for Steven represents something much bigger than myself. Seeing how much hard work people have put into this foundation over the past few years and how it has directly impacted the lives of many has made me realize just how big of an impact Steven had and continues to have in the community.” - U.D. Igwe
“Spin for Steven is an event I hold near and dear to my heart. Knowing that we have a direct impact on people suffering from rare sarcomas similar to the one Steven had makes all the work we put in so worth it.” - JT Murphy
We truly never expected to get such thoughtful, inspiring responses back. It means the world to our organization to have a crew of amazing young men standing alongside us in the fight against sarcoma. If this doesn’t motivate you to hop on a bike and make a difference, I don’t know what will!