Punt, Pass and Kick for an icon

A group of sports management majors at WSU have created an event that will raise money to fight a deadly disease. This group of individuals and Team Gleason will be hosting a ‘Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition’ Halloween at Martin Stadium.

The foundation, Team Gleason, was inspired by Steve Gleason, former safety for the New Orleans Saints and former player for the WSU football and baseball teams. Gleason suffers from ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, which a terminal neuro-muscular disease. Team Gleason is working to improve the lives of those suffering from this disease and encourage global awareness.

His foundation works to provide individuals with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with the technology, equipment, and services they need.

“(Team Gleason) is helping people with ALS to live a normal life. They take (these individuals) on life adventures… and (provide) the equipment and technology necessary so that they can live a normal and fulfilling life as much as possible,” said Jordan Moran, one of the students responsible for organizing the event.

According to alscenter.org, the diagnosis of ALS is five times higher than Huntington’s disease. There is no cure, but a treatment called riluzole therapy improves ALS survival. Approximately 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, according to alsa.org.

The students organizing the event chose to donate the funds specifically to Team Gleason. The winners of the competition will be published in a newspaper. Along with the competition there will be a raffle for fun prizes, music, an MC and candy for kids who want to trick-or-treat.

“It’s a charity event that Washington State is very connected to,” Moran said.

The ‘Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition’ fundraiser has an entrance fee of $5. The event will be on Grimes Way Playfield before the football game this Thursday. All ages are welcome to participate in the event, but anyone under 18 years of age must have a parent present.