History

This marks the fourth time that the Brotherhood of Beta Kappa Phi has done the 60 Mile Pitch. This is the third year in a row that the fraternity has ran to Progressive Feild for a good cause. Last years run supported the Jimmy V. Foundation for Cancer Research. Beta Kappa Phi raised over $4,000 dollars for the foundation.

The first time Beta Kappa Phi participated in the event was in 1996 when the Brothers ran to what was then Jacob's Field. College of Wooster President R. Stanton Hales started the journey by throwing a baseball to the first runners in front of Armington Hall. It was then thrown as the ceremonial first pitch in front of a packed house. The event raised over $3,000 dollars for Boys Village.

This concept of raising money by running long distances has been a strong tradition throughout Beta Kappa Phi’s longstanding history. In 1966, a heated football rivalry between The College of Wooster and the University of Akron prompted ten members to initiate the game by running from Wooster to Akron throwing a football. These runners left at 7:30 on the morning of October 15th and kept the ball airborne during the 42-mile journey to the Akron Rubber Bowl. This World Record setting feat was featured on national television, and in recognition, Beta Kappa Phi was awarded the Golden Shoe trophy by The College of Wooster.

In October of 1977, the athletic director of Beta Kappa Phi devised a plan to run from Wooster to Cleveland with the purpose of raising funds for the Heart Association. Then in the spring of 1989, the Brothers initiated a run to raise money for the Wooster Volunteer Fire Department. After running over 37 miles around the Wooster Township, the fraternity raised more than $3,500 dollars in charitable donations. In 1992, the Brotherhood ran 68.5 miles to Cleveland, carrying a football to raise money for People to People Ministries Thanksgiving Fund Drive. Once again, the fundraising was a terrific success.