URugby supports ALS Awareness
The month of May is ALS Awareness Month. Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. URugby is doing their part by working with Quinn for the Win and the Chris Munn 7s Tournament to help bring awareness and understanding to this devastating disease.
Quinn for the Win and the Bowl Series
URugby has been a proud supporter of Quinn for the Win and has made Pat and his cause an integral part of the 2015 Bowl Series and the 2016 Bowl Series.
Pat was born and raised in Yonkers, NY. He was diagnosed with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease on March 8th, 2013 a month after his 30th birthday. Immediately after diagnosis, Pat committed to a mission and determination that the world needs to know there are healthy, athletic, YOUNG people out there being challenged by this disease.
In a short time, Pat has become a strong advocate with local fundraisers in New York. In 2014, Pat was one of the founders of the greatest fundraising movement in history, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that created global ALS awareness and raised $220 million for various ALS organizations around the world.
Pat continues to advocate before Congress and give inspirational speeches at schools and universities to Facebook and Google. Pat was nominated for TIME Person of the Year in 2014.
Norwich University hosts ALS Awareness tournament
Started in 2014, the annual Chris Munn Rugby 7s Tournament has helped endow the new rugby scholarship in honor of Chris Munn '81 and raise awareness of ALS. All proceeds from the tournament, auction, and dinner will go to support the scholarship and Norwich Scrum Alums. The scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2016 to two Norwich rugby student-athletes.
Chris played both rugby and lacrosse during his 4 years at Norwich (1977–1981) and served as captain of the Rugby Team his senior year.
Chris continued to play rugby with the various Army teams and club sides in Washington State while serving on active duty. After his distinguished military career, Chris retired from the Army as a Colonel. He then served as the Chief of Staff for the Mission Support Element at Fort Drum, New York.
In 2013, Chris was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and neuro-degenerative muscular disease that is incurable. Today, Chris continues his personal fight against ALS and is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease.
Do your part to raise awareness!
The ALS community needs your help to put an end to this devastating disease. When you participate, advocate, and donate, you advance the fight to find the cure and lead us toward a world without ALS!
