Ice Bucket Challenge | ALS Research | Compassionate Care ALS | Meet the Man Behind the Ice Bucket Challenge (MyFoxBoston.com)
 
Bronx, N.Y. (August 7, 2014) - Four Fordham University football coaches, led by head coach Joe Moorhead, showed their support for the battle of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, today by taking the Ice Bucket Challenge after practice to help raise funds for ALS research. Joining Moorhead were offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Andrew Breiner, tight ends coach Ian Pace and director of football operations Greg Marmaros.
 
Each coach called out a colleague to take the challenge or donate $100 to ALS research. Moorhead called out Towson tight ends coach Reno Ferri, Breiner called out Holy Cross defensive coordinator Mike Kushurba, Marmaros called out Bucknell wide receivers coach Rickey Jackson and Pace called out Monmouth wide receivers coach TJ DiMuzio.
 
The genesis of the Ice Bucket Challenge as a way to generate awareness for ALS started with former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2012. He teamed with Pat Quinn, who has also been diagnosed with the disease, to start the charity Quinn For The Win, and they began to challenge others on social networks to take the plunge in late July. Pat's brother Dan posted a video on the charity's Facebook page in support of the challenge.
 
ALS hit close to home for the Rams last year as senior tight end Dan Light lost his father, Dan, to the disease last August at the age of 45 after a courageous battle.
 
"My dad died a year ago tomorrow so this means a lot to me," said Light. "I really appreciate the coaches for doing it and spreading the word. Please spread the word and challenge someone and donate to ALS research and Compassionate Care ALS which helps comfort families and get them through difficult times. They were a big help to me and my family last year."
 
The Rams have a second connection to the Ice Bucket Challenge as freshman lineman Sean Hoey attended St. John's Prep in Danvers, Mass., the same high school as Frates. The school sponsors an annual Peter Frates Day to help raise funds for ALS research.
 
"Since his diagnosis, St. John's Prep has rallied to help Peter Frates," said Hoey. "He was an outstanding football and baseball player at the school who went on to have a great baseball career at Boston College. He's been doing a great job at raising funds for ALS Research all over the country."
 
ALS is a disease of the nerve cells and spinal cord that controls voluntary muscle movement. Those who suffer from the disease experience muscle weakness, twitching, little to no use of their arms and legs and difficulty speaking, breathing and swallowing. The disease is also named for the famous baseball player Lou Gehrig, who died of the illness in 1941. According to the ALS Association, approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with the illness every year.