It might not be possible.

Hermel had played hockey as a youth. As an adult he ran in marathons and was active. But 50 miles on roller blades? This would be a challenge.

Still, Hermel had seen the impact activities and athletics had on students in a year of coaching and supervising in-school suspension at Deer River High School. They were not just important for fitness reasons, he believed, they were also important for social reasons.

When he completed the last of the 50 miles, arriving at the school by the afternoon deadline last September, he had raised $3,830, almost 40 percent of the amount needed to maintain the school programs. And he arrived in a gym full of excited students. They had heard updates of his progress on the school intercom throughout the day.

This year the need is still there, and he will be “Roller Bound for River Town” again on Friday, October 12. To make it more interesting, he plans to roller blade 70 miles, from north of Big Falls to Deer River, along Highway 6. The rules are that he will start and finish the same day, and that he will arrive at Deer River High School by the 3:10 p.m. bell.

Along the way, radio stations 96.9 FM and 1320 AM will do “on the road” interviews where Hermel will dedicate sections of his travel to different donors, and he plans to stop at Talmoon to greet his former pupils from student teaching at North School.

Teaching was always on the horizon for Hermel. He grew up in Cohasset in a family that included a number of teachers, and even in day care he had come to appreciate those caregivers who took the time to learn about him. The payoff of having those supportive adults during early years was huge, he realized. He graduated in elementary education from BSU in 2004, with a specialty in communication, arts and literature. When a position opened in English for a long term substitute, he applied and liked it. This year he has the position full time, teaching tenth grade composition and eighth grade literature. Now he is pursuing a diploma in high school English as well as work toward a masters.

And on the side, he plans to roller blade to see that his students have other opportunities outside the classroom. He’s not promising how pretty it’s going to be, but he’s determined to cross the finish line.

“It’s well worth the payback,” he said, especially if it contributes to strong kids in the future.

To support Phill Hermel’s “Roller Bound for River Town,” contributions of any amount may be made to a dedicated account at Deer River Co-op Credit Union, P.O. Box 158, Deer River, MN 56636, or to the Deer River School Athletic Department at DRHS, 101 First Ave. NE, Deer River, MN 56636. For more information, contact Phill Hermel at (218) 256-1768 or email: phermel@deerriver.k12.mn.us. Be sure to indicate the contribution is for “Roller Bound” and give your name and if you want to recognize someone with the donation.