Tour de Touchdown Raises Funds for Children's Hospital

MADISON - When 13 members of Sigma Phi Epsilon on the UW campus travel to Iowa City for the Badger football game Oct. 23, a motor vehicle will not be part of the plans.

They plan to take the 176-mile trip via bicycle to raise money for American Family Children's Hospital for the fraternity's 17th annual Tour De Touchdown.

Help the Riders Reach Their Goal: Donate to Tour de Touchdown

The bicyclists will leave Thursday morning, Oct. 21, from 237 Langdon Street, the site of the fraternity's new home; the previous home was destroyed by fire in 2008. They will spend two days pedaling the entire distance to Iowa City relay-style while carrying a game football autographed by Coach Bret Bielema. Other fraternity members will travel to the game in a bus and offer support along the way.

Follow updates from the ride on twitter.com/uwhealthkids

Tour De Touchdown has generated more than $100,000 for American Family Children's Hospital Child Life programs, which include playtime activities and other events to reduce the stress of hospitalization for patients and their families. Sigma Phi Epsilon has raised pledges both door-to-door and on-line.

This year, three Wisconsin natives will be among the bicyclists: Ben Beckwith of Middleton, and Kevin Hojnacke and Geoff Zahn of Appleton.

The other riders come from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The fraternity will sponsor a sorority powder-puff football game in November to raise additional funds.