Alumni and friends of Wichita State University are invited to give Rick Stephens, survivor of the 1970 plane crash that killed 31 WSU football players, coaches, administrators and boosters, a proper Shocker send-off at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Cessna Stadium.

Stephens plans to make a 550-plus mile bicycle trip to the site of the plane crash on Mount Trelease in the Rocky Mountains, arriving on the anniversary of the plane crash on Sunday, Oct. 2.

This quest is to honor lives lost and to raise money for the 1970 Football Memorial Scholarship.

“I especially want others to know this is not about me, but about remembering that day and the wonderful people lost,” said Stephens. “I want to make sure we never forget.”

Stephens will dedicate specific miles throughout his ride to each person who lost their life on the mountain, in addition to former teammate and fellow survivor Randy Jackson, and close friend and teammate John "Mike" Knol.

There are multiple ways to make a donation in support of Stephens' memorial ride:

Go to http://www.wichita.edu/foundation to make a secure, online donation; mail checks to the Rick Stephens 1970 Memorial Bike Ride c/o WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260-0002; or to contribute by phone, contact Natalie Olmsted, WSU Foundation development associate, at (316) 978-6842 or natalie.olmsted@wichita.edu.

To read the initial story that appeared in the August e-Horizon, go to "Rick Stephens '71 to bicycle more than 550 miles for WSU" at http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1238.

To watch Stephens' interview on "Impact," a KPTS program, go to http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1239.