On the weekend of Oct. 4, 68 LSU student-athletes combined their efforts, along with those in the community to make a difference in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas.
Members of the LSU baseball, softball, gymnastics and tennis teams banded together for three events: the ALS Walk for a Cure, Juvenile Diabetes Walk and Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome.
At the ALS Walk for a Cure, Coach Maineri opened the event, speaking about how ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, has affected baseball. He recalled how New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig battled the disease to continue playing the game, despite the effects of the disease that includes loss of muscle control and atrophy. Two years after being diagnosed with the disease, ALS claimed Gehrig’s life.
“The one thing that he couldn’t beat was this disease and yet there is so much awareness about it because of him and his notoriety,” said Maineri. “Lou Gehrig was a real blessing to our society because he’s brought a lot of awareness to this disease.”
Sixteen junior and senior members of the baseball team gathered in support of Lou Gehrig’s disease as well as, members of the softball and gymnastics teams.
“ALS is always special just because of Lou Gehrig playing baseball and knowing that being able to play this game could be taken away by this terrible disease,” said LSU senior baseball player Buzzy Haydel.
In addition to the ALS Walk for a Cure, LSU was well-represented at both the Juvenile Diabetes Walk and Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome as well.
Coach D-D Breaux rallied support as she participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Walk and student-athletes paved the way at the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome.
The events lasted only one day, but for many athletes, the impact of participating can last well beyond the last step of a “walk”.
“You realize how blessed you are as an athlete and to be able to give back to the community helps you to grow,” said senior pitcher Nolan Cain. “Sometimes you take things for granted thinking about having to go to classes, study halls and practice, but people in these situations would give anything to do that.”