Boston College Athletics
Frates, Eagles & Red Sox Band Together to Strike Out ALS’
February 26, 2016 | Baseball
ACC teams will don Strikeout ALS wristband the final regular-season weekend
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Former Boston College outfielder and captain Pete Frates, the catalyst behind the "Ice Bucket Challenge," is calling on college baseball teams across the country to band together to raise awareness for ALS.
Frates and his family today are launching a program called Band Together to Strike Out ALS that encourages teams to wear a special wristband during May, which is ALS Awareness Month, to raise ALS awareness.
Boston College and along with the Atlantic Coast Conference programs have committed to wearing the wristbands that read "Strike Out ALS" and feature Frates' initials and number (PF3) during the final weekend of the ACC season (May 19-21). In addition, the Boston Red Sox will join the Eagles in wearing the wristbands when the teams play an exhibition on Monday, Feb. 29, and Major League Baseball also is supporting the cause.
"While we've been overwhelmed and humbled by the tremendous support through the Ice Bucket Challenge, Pete was a college baseball player first and foremost," said John Frates, Pete's father. "Our hope is that college baseball teams around the country will join one of their own in striking out this dreadful disease.
"ALS is associated with baseball by virtue of its namesake, Lou Gehrig. It may have been named after the Yankees legend, but it is a NCAA student athlete and Boston College baseball player that ALS treatment and a cure will be known for."
Frates was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in March 2012. He played in the outfield for the Maroon and Gold from 2004-07. He and entire support system, dubbed "Team FrateTrain," work to raise ALS awareness, education and funds for research. In 2012, the Pete Frates #3 Fund was established to help subsidize medical care and expenses not covered by health insurance. Later, the Frates ALS Research and Support Fund was developed to provide funding for targeted ALS research and to help support those afflicted with ALS in need.
In the summer of 2014, Frates championed the Ice Bucket Challenge through the use of social media. Along with the amount of awareness brought to ALS, over $200 million was raised to help find a cure. He was awarded the Sports Illustrated's Inspiration of the Year in December of 2014 and the SportsCenter documentary detailing his journey was nominated for an Emmy.
Band Together to Strike Out ALS was formulated by the Frates family, BC head coach Mike Gambino, Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter and CollegeBaseballInsider.com co-founder Sean Ryan.
"Not a day goes by that I don't think of the amazing things Pete has done since being diagnosed with ALS," Gambino said. "He has inspired millions of people around the world with his determination to end this disease. Closer to home, he has inspired his teammates, coaches, opponents and friends by just being Pete, an amazing person, father, husband, son and friend."
Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: "Because of the great Lou Gehrig, baseball has a special kinship with those who are fighting ALS. The heart and mind of Pete Frates teach us about courage, determination and vision. We thank Pete for the impact he is making to unify the ALS community and to bring Lou Gehrig's disease to an overdue end."
For more information on obtaining wristbands and to learn Frates' story, visit Petefrates.com.
Frates and his family today are launching a program called Band Together to Strike Out ALS that encourages teams to wear a special wristband during May, which is ALS Awareness Month, to raise ALS awareness.
Boston College and along with the Atlantic Coast Conference programs have committed to wearing the wristbands that read "Strike Out ALS" and feature Frates' initials and number (PF3) during the final weekend of the ACC season (May 19-21). In addition, the Boston Red Sox will join the Eagles in wearing the wristbands when the teams play an exhibition on Monday, Feb. 29, and Major League Baseball also is supporting the cause.
"While we've been overwhelmed and humbled by the tremendous support through the Ice Bucket Challenge, Pete was a college baseball player first and foremost," said John Frates, Pete's father. "Our hope is that college baseball teams around the country will join one of their own in striking out this dreadful disease.
"ALS is associated with baseball by virtue of its namesake, Lou Gehrig. It may have been named after the Yankees legend, but it is a NCAA student athlete and Boston College baseball player that ALS treatment and a cure will be known for."
Frates was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in March 2012. He played in the outfield for the Maroon and Gold from 2004-07. He and entire support system, dubbed "Team FrateTrain," work to raise ALS awareness, education and funds for research. In 2012, the Pete Frates #3 Fund was established to help subsidize medical care and expenses not covered by health insurance. Later, the Frates ALS Research and Support Fund was developed to provide funding for targeted ALS research and to help support those afflicted with ALS in need.
In the summer of 2014, Frates championed the Ice Bucket Challenge through the use of social media. Along with the amount of awareness brought to ALS, over $200 million was raised to help find a cure. He was awarded the Sports Illustrated's Inspiration of the Year in December of 2014 and the SportsCenter documentary detailing his journey was nominated for an Emmy.
Band Together to Strike Out ALS was formulated by the Frates family, BC head coach Mike Gambino, Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter and CollegeBaseballInsider.com co-founder Sean Ryan.
"Not a day goes by that I don't think of the amazing things Pete has done since being diagnosed with ALS," Gambino said. "He has inspired millions of people around the world with his determination to end this disease. Closer to home, he has inspired his teammates, coaches, opponents and friends by just being Pete, an amazing person, father, husband, son and friend."
Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: "Because of the great Lou Gehrig, baseball has a special kinship with those who are fighting ALS. The heart and mind of Pete Frates teach us about courage, determination and vision. We thank Pete for the impact he is making to unify the ALS community and to bring Lou Gehrig's disease to an overdue end."
For more information on obtaining wristbands and to learn Frates' story, visit Petefrates.com.
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