Yankee Brew News Archive

Team Hoyt-Brewing Up Support

Originally Published: 04/97

By: Ken "Luckmeister" Spolsino

Awestruck- That is how I felt when meeting Dick and Rick Hoyt, the newest two members of the community of homebrewers. You would recognize them as the father-son team that ran in the Boston Marathon in past years. Team Hoyt, as they call themselves, have competed as a tandem in 50 marathons, 117 triathlons and in over 460 other athletic events, including a remarkable 3,735 mile bike and run across America.

They are a couple of real he-man types. Rick (35) a Boston University Graduate, was born a spastic quadriplegic, cerebral palsy, non-speaking person. He is characterized by his father as "the heart of the team," while Dick uses his legs for the both of them. According to his father, Rick says "that when he is competing he does not feel handicapped. Mobility is freedom."

Dick is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. The man looks as if he could lift a building without breaking a sweat and struck me as having a pretty big heart, himself. I guess it is a trait that runs in their family.

I met them while they were bottling beer at IncrediBREW, in Nashua, NH, for an upcoming athletic event. Dave and Nancy Williams, owners of IncrediBREW, donated the use of their brew-on-premise for this cause. Unfortunately, the event, The Team Hoyt 5K Race was held on May 22, before this publication was sent to press. The beer, 24 cases in all, was to be given away to all runners who participated in the event. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Hoyt Foundation. The goal of the Hoyt Foundation is to educate people on the issues of the disabled and to help persons with disabilities participate in activities which would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Dave Williams characterized the Hoyt's best, saying, " What kind of role models are the top athletes compared to the Hoyt's? They've overcome greater adversity and are in my opinion the real heroes and role models." I couldn't have said it better, Dave. It was a genuine honor to meet these two fine athletes at your establishment.

Team Hoyt will be involved in a number of other events in the future. If you would like to participate or learn more about Team Hoyt, contact them at RR2 Box 1395, Holland, MA 01521, or phone them at (413) 245-9466.

Also, lend your patronage to those who sponsor such worthy causes. IncrediBREW is located at 112 Daniel Webster Highway in Nashua, NH. They can be reached at (603) 891-2477.