HomeSean Wagner
Pennsylvania Mu - Widener University
My Iron Phi Story
Iron Phi Part Deux
In 2010, I ran my first competitive race of any kind when Phi Delta Theta introduced the Iron Phi program. I did it to be supportive of a new initiative, my friends, and my colleagues. What I didn’t know was that Iron Phi would become a game-changing initiative in the Fraternity’s fight against ALS and development of leaders. My Iron Phi athletic challenge was to join a relay team and take on the quite difficult (and hilly) Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. Frankly, I hardly trained, and I am lucky to still be “standing” here today to type this message.
A few years later, after my daughter was born, I re-connected with Jon Collier, a fellow member of the relay team who also had no business running the Pig in 2010. Somehow, our conversation led to the two of us being registered for the 2018 Flying Pig Half Marathon, to see if we could improve on what we had done before. We still argue about whose idea it was and to what we were committing. Nonetheless, we completed our first half marathon.
Five years and seven half marathons later, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’ve been able to improve my times and develop a commitment to stay after it. I always say, “I’m not a runner, but I run.” I run for my family, my health, and to find balance and stability.
The Iron Phi program sparked something in me that has helped improve my life. It has also sparked something in the Phi Delt Nation that has transformed who we are. To give back to the program, further Phi Delta Theta’s efforts to Leave ALS Better Than We Found It, and help our brothers Become the Greatest Versions of Themselves, I’m taking on the biggest running week of my life. I’ll be joining Iron Phi Founder, colleague, and friend, Steve Good in Seattle as a part of his annual charity running trip for three days (May 1-3). I’ll then return home to join Jon for my fifth Flying Pig on May 7 and revisit where this journey started. Collectively, I’ll be running approximately 30 miles in four days.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Yours truly,
Sean
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How Does My Donation Make a Difference?
Your donation towards an Iron Phi athlete equally supports two very important things: Supporting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research and support of ALS families and leadership development for undergraduate members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
At the end of each year calendar year, the LiveLikeLou Foundation grants dollars raised through Iron Phi to fund its initiatives that support ALS research, scholarships to support the higher education goals of ALS dependents, and summer camp experiences for children who have a parent or grandparent with ALS.
Dollars used for undergraduate leadership development have and continue to help Phi Delta Theta educate more of its undergraduate members as they work to “Become the Greatest Version of Themselves.”
