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Written By: Summer Clarkson 
Alex Beaven (Pennington & Company), contributing writer
Sigma Pi membership cultivates social bonds that stand the test of time, and brothers Dave Bohumolski (SIU-Carbondale ’97) and Dave Thornton (SIU-Carbondale ’97) are a testament to that lifelong brotherhood. Despite a rough first impression, the two Daves cherish their longstanding friendship that has led to professional growth and interconnected family lives.
Fraternal Development
“When we first joined the Fraternity, I couldn’t stand him and he couldn’t stand me,” Bohumolski said. During a gathering at an older brother’s apartment, the upperclassmen brought the two out and told them to settle their differences. “After about eight hours of talking and some refreshments, we ended up being inseparable 30 years later.”
Both brothers realized Sigma Pi was a great fit for their college experience, and Thornton reflected on how influential the Fraternity has been for his life beyond college. “Almost everything, from my career and jobs to friends, all goes back to joining the house.”
Bohumolski echoed the sentiment, with advice for today’s Sigma Pi undergraduates: “Don’t ever burn bridges, because you never know—that person you stepped on to climb that ladder, you might need them later in your career or in your life.”
Bohumolski and Thornton both served Beta-Nu Chapter as new member educators and philanthropy chairmen. Their Fraternity obligations gave each a better understanding of what it means to be a member of a team and contribute to something greater than themselves—a lesson they’ve carried into their careers and recent pit crew endeavors.
“I’ve got four recent graduates under me at work that I show how to navigate business, not step on toes, and stand up for the right reasons,” Thornton added. “All that, I learned in the Sigma Pi house. Once you’re there, you really learn teamwork and progressing toward a common goal.”
Life at the Track
Dave Thornton’s auto racing experiences started with pit crew work and racing in his teenage years, along with making connections with IndyCar team members. Thanks to industry networking, in 2024, he joined Paul Miller Racing for tire prep before moving into a larger role in 2025. “It’s what I learned in the Fraternity—making friends, making and keeping connections, and not burning bridges.”
Thornton’s new role for the team opened positions for people to help with Paul Miller Racing’s expansion to two cars. Team management trusted Thornton to fill his prior role, and he knew just the person for the job.
“I know a lot of people, but it takes a certain person you can trust at a 24-hour race that at 3 a.m., when they’re getting yelled at, they’re not going to throw their hands up and quit… It’s about finding someone that you 100% trust, no matter how bad things get, that they’re not going to give up on you.”
That person was Bohumolski, who joined the team for the grueling Rolex 24 at Daytona (also known as the 24 Hours of Daytona). He called it one of the toughest things he’s ever done—but also one of the most rewarding.
“I think we got to the track on 7 a.m. on Saturday and left at 10 p.m. on Sunday,” Bohumolski said. “As we learned in the Fraternity, you can’t let people down, you’ve got to persevere and power through. At the end of the day, when we were in contention with eight minutes left in the race, it was an awesome boost of energy. Then the damn Corvette spun us out.”
“I cried,” Thornton mentioned. “I had to walk away—I knew people would see me crying.”
Part of the Crew
While sleep deprivation was the primary challenge the brothers and their team faced, Bohumolski was also still new to the role and continuing to learn throughout the weekend. “They welcomed me in with open arms, and it was just everyone working in unison for an achievable goal to win the race.”
Thornton reassured his Sigma Pi brother that there was no “low man” on the Paul Miller Racing team and that Bohumolski’s tire position is just as critical to the operation as engineers making calls for the race. “Everyone is treated exactly the same, because without any of those people, you’re not going to make it.”
Both have come to realize that controlled chaos is the norm for pit crew members. Bohumolski noted how close team members become while working toward a common goal together, while Thornton added that separate crews are always networking and socializing beyond the track.
“We go out by tooth and nail on the track, but when we leave, we’re all at the same bars and restaurants. We all look out for everyone. If someone has a flight and it gets delayed, you might miss riding with your team, but we’re on the phone with all other teams to coordinate accommodations. It’s a close-knit family, kind of like the Fraternity.”
Lifelong Brotherhood
Between pit crew roles and other career ventures, the brothers appreciate being able to bounce ideas off one another and collaborate. Their connection beyond college also goes much deeper than work and displays the value of lifelong Sigma Pi bonds.
“If I’m ever down or I need something, I can call him and he can lift me up,” Thornton said. “We’re there for each other no matter what. He and his wife know, his daughters know, and my wife and kids know that if they needed something, they can call Bo and whatever the distance it takes to get there, that’s how long it’ll take him to get there.”
“Thornton was there for me when both my parents were sick,” Bohumolski added. “It was great having someone besides just my wife that I could talk to and help me through that time of my life.”
Beta-Nu brothers continue to gather every year for alumni outings, including an annual canoe trip in June with 40 brothers from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. “Last year, 15 guys came to Wisconsin just to see me at a race and cheer us on,” Thornton added.
Family Life
Thornton and his wife, Jamie, have been married for 22 years and have two children. His 16-year-old son, Bryce, recently started racing and is glad to have his father and uncle, Dave, around for support. His 25-year-old daughter is the head recruiter for the United States Navy in Chicago.
Bohumolski and his wife, Mindy, have been married for 18 years and have two daughters, aged 14 and 16. They enjoy keeping up with their daughters’ softball and volleyball activities in the summer and winter.
While the story of “Bo Thornton” started in college at SIU-Carbondale, the two Sigma Pi alumni are grateful for their fraternal bond that continues to shape their personal and professional experiences. You can connect with Dave Bohumolski at dbohumolski@gmail.com and Dave Thornton at thornton307@hotmail.com.