DePauw and Wabash Phi Delta Theta members raise money and awareness for ALS

Members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity from DePauw University and Wabash College deliver the game ball for the 126th Monon Bell Classic to DePauw University Athletic Director Stevie Baker-Watson prior to Saturday’s game. For the past seven years, the two chapters have been relaying a ball between the two campuses the day prior to the annual rivalry as a way of raising money and awareness for ALS research.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

On Nov. 16, members of DePauw University and Wabash College Phi Delta Theta Fraternity chapters presented the game ball to officials prior to the start of the 126th Monon Bell Classic.

The ball was relayed on foot and bike between the two campuses this past Friday in advance of the football game.

“The idea is to raise both awareness and funds for our international fraternity charity The Live Like Lou Foundation,” said DePauw chapter President Nick Redwine, a senior. “In addition, it helps to set a tone for the respect we have for the event and the competition.”

ALS – commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” – is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. As many as 30,000 Americans may currently be affected by ALS.

As The “Iron Man” Lou Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta, so the Live Like Lou Foundation has been adopted as the national charity of Phi Delta Theta International.

The Monon Bell football game, first held in 1890, is staged annually between Wabash and DePauw – two stalwarts of NCAA Division III athletics and both highly regarded national liberal arts colleges. The trophy is an old locomotive bell donated by the Monon Railroad Line which once had service between the two cities.

Wabash Phi Delts transported the ball halfway between the two campuses on foot, then team of DePauw Phi Delt Little 5 bike riders brought it back to Greencastle.

“This is the seventh consecutive year for the event,” DePauw alumni advisor CJ Johnston (Class of ‘83) said. “This year, we’ll eclipse $40,000 in donations toward ALS research. We are grateful to DePauw Athletic Director Stevie Baker-Watson for her support of this very positive event.”

Those interested in learning more about ALS or wishing to donate to the may visit livelikelou.org.