courtesy of Mark Farmer
 

Phillips H. Brown Century Award

The Phillips H. Brown Century Award (the Brown Cup) was introduced in 1986.  It is a traveling trophy that is currently awarded to the oldest finisher of the club's annual century ride.  The list below denotes the year, the cyclist's name, and age, respectively.  This web page was developed in the summer of 2005.  Past winners are encouraged to submit biographical information to be linked to your name.  Contact Pete Kerr at pete.kerr70@wabash.edu.  

                            1986    Phil Brown    68
                            1987    Phil Brown    69
                            1988    Phil Brown    70
                            1989    Ann Bartlett    54
                            1990    Bob Schnurbusch    65
                            1991    Bob Schnurbusch    66
                            1992    Judy Cureton    54
                            1993    Max Drake    60
                            1994    Pat Boyd    54
                            1995    Charlie Balsamo    67
                            1996    Dick Hammond    61
                            1997    Dick Hammond    62
                            1998    Charlie Balsamo    70
                            1999    Judy Cureton    61
                            2000    Dick Hammond    65
                            2001    Joe Becker    70
                            2002    Linton Luetje    63
                            2003    Joe Becker    72
                            2004    Joe Becker    73
                        2005    Jim DeBlois    61
                            2006   Judy Cureton  68
                            2007   J. W. Bill Likens   83
                                                

History

        In the spring of 1986, Phillips H. Brown retired from teaching economics at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.  Two of his many friends, Pete and Bonnie Kerr, decided to commemorate the occasion by initiating the "Brown Cup."  When Pete joined the economics department in the fall of 1980, he discovered a fellow cyclist in Phil.  Having never experienced club riding, he was constantly encouraged by Pete to ride with the local club.  Phil soon became a popular regular at Velo Girardeau events.  A strong and steady rider, he was affectionately known as the "Horse."  Perhaps more appropriately, Hamner Hill of the University's philosophy department labeled him the "Energizer Bunny." 

        Phil rode his first century in the fall of 1983 at the age of 65.  In a face saving gesture, the three decade younger Pete was compelled to ride his first century as well.  He beat Phil by 20 minutes and has not ridden a Velo Girardeau Century since. 

        The Brown Cup is independent of Velo Girardeau and is supported solely by Pete Kerr.  It is his and Bonnie's intention that the cup be awarded to the oldest person to complete a century organized by a Cape Girardeau bicycle club.