Team Hoyt is a father-son triathlon team unlike any other. Rick and Dick Hoyt have participated in over 1,100 races together (check out this Chart of Events!) and have received a myriad of awards for their efforts. Yet what makes this team unique is the fact that Rick (the son) was diagnosed with cerebral palsy—a condition that restricts his mobility to a wheelchair and makes him unable to speak. While this may seem like a severe disadvantage, Team Hoyt has proven that so-called handicaps and limitations are only as tangible as we allow them to be.
Their story begins in 1962, when Rick was born. Because of a lack of oxygen during the birth, Rick’s brain suffered damage, causing him to lose mobility throughout his body. Many doctors insisted that Rick be institutionalized because he “had little hope for a normal life.” Rick’s parents, Dick and Judy, decided that they would rather do their best to include him in their family & community, despite the diagnosis.
Dick and Judy soon realized that even though he couldn’t speak, Rick’s mind was very active. Eventually, they were able to get an interactive computer that helped Rick express himself. Rick taps his head against a piece on his chair to spell out words individually. The parents also quickly discovered that Rick had a deep love for sports, as his first words using the computer were “Go, Bruins!” in reference to the hockey team’s Stanley Cup run that year. This love of sports helped spur the creation of Team Hoyt.
In 1977, Rick told his dad that he wanted to participate in a 5 mile run–a fundraiser for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed. Dick decided he would run with Rick, pushing him all 5 miles to finish the race. That night, Rick told his father, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” This sparked Dick’s motivation, and was the beginning of a long career of racing for the father-son duo.
On foot, Dick will push his son on a chair; while swimming, Dick will pull Rick with a bungee cord hooked to his vest; while biking, they ride in a special 2-seater bike. They have done this for more than 1,100 races. The pair even ran across the US, going over 3,000 miles in just 45 days.
The team has become a symbol of love and overcoming adversity all around the world. Dick, who is a retired Lt. Colonel, has received various awards, including “Father of the Year”, but gives credit to Rick. After completing the team’s first Ironman, Dick said:
“I knew the credit went to my son. He was my motivation. Something gets into me when I’m competing along with Rick that makes us go faster. My strength comes from him, as if it moves from his body into mine. The strength that I got from my son that day enabled us to become Ironmen.”
The team has also achieved many great accomplishments outside of racing., including the “Jimmy V Perseverance Award “ in July, 2013. Both men are great motivational speakers, traveling the country to share their story and promote their team motto: “Yes You Can!”
Rick was once asked, if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? Rick responded, “The thing I’d most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once.”
This is a true example of when two people are united for a common good, the two are greater than their sum…imagine if they did not have the other. Alone we are just one…and when united, we become greater…much greater than two. Thank-you Team Hoyt for your inspiration that makes our world a better place to be.