January 30, 2014

Marathoner, triathlete Dick Hoyt is keynote speaker at Freshman Family Weekend

Dick Hoyt, who has pushed his handicapped son in a wheelchair in more than 1,000 competitions around the world, including marathons and Ironman triathlons, was the keynote speaker during Freshman Family Weekend in November.

More than 1,200 people filled the Peterson Recreation Center to hear Hoyt’s presentation, greeting him with a standing ovation.

Dick Hoyt, a marathoner and triathlete, was the keynote speaker during Freshman Family Weekend in November.

In addition to being impressed by Hoyt’s athletic accomplishments — he is 73 years old — many were touched by his devotion to his son, Rick, who was born with cerebral palsy 51 years ago. Doctors advised the Hoyts to institutionalize their son, who they said would be “a vegetable.” But today Rick Hoyt is a college graduate living independently in Boston with the help of an aide.

Enjoying Freshman Family Weekend are, from left, Charles Alagero ’78, his wife, Marianne Alagero, and their children, Julia Alagero ’17 and Charlie Alagero, with Tom Carpenter ’82 and his wife, Jeannie Carpenter ’83, the parents of Ryan Carpenter ’17, not shown.