Bohan, Dillewaard, Jordan, Parslow Ride at Second Stephen Murray Benefit Jam
Jul 09 2007 / Perris, CA
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While the spirit of the event was fun and loose, everyone who attended continues to be moved by the tragic injury to the popular BMX star. On Friday, June 22nd at the BMX Dirt Finals of the Panasonic Open, the first stop of the AST Dew Tour, Murray had a horrific fall on his final set after bailing out of a double back flip. Murray received career-ending injuries to his spinal cord and vertebrae.
Those who were on hand Saturday shared fond stories of Stephen including his tremendous drive and spirit along with his generosity to friends and fans.
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Victor Peraza, who lives in Tucson, AZ, recalled a story that happened last summer, when he came to The Compound with his two sons and several friends. While there he spotted Stephen and brought his sons over to meet him. After talking for awhile Stephen said he was going home and wanted to know if Peraza, his sons and their friends wanted to come over to his house to ride. Peraza and his party of seven ended up at Murray's home where they rode, swam and had a great time.
Peraza and his family made the drive to Perris, CA from Tucson, AZ so show his support for Murray. "My son called me on the phone and told me Stephen was hurt," said Peraza, "I could not believe it. I had to pull my truck over to stop. He is in my prayers every day."
Also on hand was Cory Nastazio, Murray's former housemate, as well as others from the BMX community including: Robbie Morales, founder of Fit Bikes; Mark Kehl; TJ Ellis; Brian Johnson; Corey Walters; Nikki Buckaie; Thomas Hancock; Pete Demos, the creative director for Haro Bikes; Jeremy Pavia from BMX Plus; Alex Auerbach from Vital BMX and many others.
There was a steady flow of people coming and going throughout the day at The Compound but late afternoon as the temperature cooled the crowd swelled. Then around 7 p.m. Bohan, Dillewaard, "Biz" and Buckaie all showed up and the energy picked up even more. The pros seemed to be having a great time riding and everyone enjoyed getting to ride with them..
"This is amazing to see who came out," said Todd Spriet who is both a BMX rider and fan from Murrieta, CA, "Stephen will be stoked to see all the people here riding for him."
The Compound owner Shane Guillen had a huge canvas poster donated that includes an image of Stephen Murray along with a quote he found.
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
By John Donne
"Perchance he for who this bell tolls may be ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know that."
By John Donne
"Perchance he for who this bell tolls may be ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know that."
Throughout the day more than 600 people attended the second Stephen Murray Benefit Jam, which was put together by Guillen. The first event took place on July 4.
All money made at The Compound from both events will go directly to the Stephen Murray Family Fund.
Keep up with all the updates re: Stephen on our Stephen Murray update page and visit www.stephenmurrayfamilyfund.com to donate to help Stephen and his family.
- Jeff Rowe
