The Beginning...
Before Steve's diagnosis of ALS, when he was still working as a landscape architect, a co-worker and friend, Mathieu Zahler invited Steve to go deep sea fishing with him and some of his college buddies. Steve was looking forward to the adventure when, for one reason or another, everyone cancelled... except one guy Matt told me who was still willing to go. Steve figured what the hell, if this guy is willing to go deep sea fishing with a total stranger, how could he say no. It was May 28, 2006 when Steve went on that fishing trip with a total stranger and returned with a lifetime friend, Chuck McNamee who would change Steve's life forever. The 2 of them had an equal passion for partying and camping, as if there were a difference. Chuck's friends became Steve's friends and that friendship only grew stronger when Steve was diagnosed with ALS less than 5 months later. The following year, one of Steve's new friends, Gabe Cohen talked Chuck into riding his bike 270 miles in 3 days and TEAM AMERICA was born. It all started long ago when 2 strangers went fishing together. The rest is history.