13th Annual Coach To Cure MD Presented By Werner Ladder Returns November 14th & 15th
November 9, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes to college football, but one thing remains the same: the commitment of college coaches to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) with their signature charitable action Coach To Cure MD, presented by Werner Ladder. This year, the initiative also branches into the world of music with help from country music entertainer Chase Rice.
For the 13th consecutive year, college football coaches nationwide will wear logo patches on their sleeves in support of Coach To Cure MD during games on Saturday, November 14, as the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) once again encourages college football fans to donate to projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on Duchenne.
Chase Rice, who first became connected with the cause through relationships formed during his own time as a college football player, will host a special live stream event on Sunday, November 15 to raise additional awareness and funds in the fight for a cure.
To date, the annual Coach To Cure MD effort has raised over $ 2 million and made millions of Americans aware of this lethal genetic disorder. Coach To Cure MD began in 2008 with more than 200 schools and 2,700 coaches involved. Over twelve years that effort expanded to over 600 schools and more than 11,000 coaches – a 300 percent growth to encompass almost everyone in college football at all levels.
With many college football programs outside Division I not playing football this fall, and with Duchenne families not able to take to the field as they have for more than a decade, Chase Rice was eager to join the effort to add a new dimension.
“I love college football and so many of the coaches I know have personal relationships with families from welcoming them to the sidelines over the years. Seeing the impact they have on these kids and the cause as a whole is why I wanted to get involved,” said Rice, who played linebacker for the University of North Carolina before finding success as an artist. “In a year where game days look a little different, I hope that we can still help raise awareness and funds for this important cause through the power of music.”
Rice’s virtual performance, An Intimate Evening of Music with Chase Rice presented by Werner Ladder will be streamed Sunday, November 15 at 7:00pm EST. To tune into this free performance event simply log onto the Facebook pages of Coach to Cure MD or Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
Chase Rice is best known for his Double Platinum chart-topping single “Eyes On You” and for co-writing the smash hit “Cruise,” recorded by Florida-Georgia line – which topped the country chart longer than any song that came before it. Rice’s virtual performance is a free event, with fans encouraged to support the fight to end Duchenne by going to CoachToCureMD.org to make a donation.
Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood, primarily affecting boys of all races and cultures. People with Duchenne develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency, and a decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne. But thanks to Coach To Cure MD and the work of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, there is hope.
“The AFCA and our members take great pride in our association with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy,” AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. “Each year, our coaches look forward to wearing the Coach to Cure MD patch so that they can help bring awareness and much needed funds to help find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.”
“Football is a team sport. It requires the unique skill set of each individual player and coach in order for a team to be successful. Similarly, with Duchenne, it will take a community of researchers, scientists, clinicians, industry partners, and of course families, to find treatments and stop the progression of this devastating disease. We couldn’t fight this fight without the ongoing commitment of every coach in the AFCA,” said Pat Furlong, Founding President and CEO of PPMD. “The awareness raised for Duchenne has been nothing short of incredible, and we continue to raise more money every year as a result. The dedication of all the coaches who wear a patch in honor of our families and now this year, Chase Rice performing to support our Duchenne community, well, it is really amazing! Thank you for joining our team and helping us tackle Duchenne this November 14-15!”
“Werner is proud to help college coaches step up to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” said Stacy Gardella, vice president of brand marketing at WernerCo. “Our company is honored to partner with PPMD and Chase Rice to ensure more college football fans get the chance to step up and fight with us.”
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes to college football, but one thing remains the same: the commitment of college coaches to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) with their signature charitable action Coach To Cure MD, presented by Werner Ladder. This year, the initiative also branches into the world of music with help from country music entertainer Chase Rice.
For the 13th consecutive year, college football coaches nationwide will wear logo patches on their sleeves in support of Coach To Cure MD during games on Saturday, November 14, as the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) once again encourages college football fans to donate to projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on Duchenne.
Chase Rice, who first became connected with the cause through relationships formed during his own time as a college football player, will host a special live stream event on Sunday, November 15 to raise additional awareness and funds in the fight for a cure.
To date, the annual Coach To Cure MD effort has raised over $ 2 million and made millions of Americans aware of this lethal genetic disorder. Coach To Cure MD began in 2008 with more than 200 schools and 2,700 coaches involved. Over twelve years that effort expanded to over 600 schools and more than 11,000 coaches – a 300 percent growth to encompass almost everyone in college football at all levels.
With many college football programs outside Division I not playing football this fall, and with Duchenne families not able to take to the field as they have for more than a decade, Chase Rice was eager to join the effort to add a new dimension.
“I love college football and so many of the coaches I know have personal relationships with families from welcoming them to the sidelines over the years. Seeing the impact they have on these kids and the cause as a whole is why I wanted to get involved,” said Rice, who played linebacker for the University of North Carolina before finding success as an artist. “In a year where game days look a little different, I hope that we can still help raise awareness and funds for this important cause through the power of music.”
Rice’s virtual performance, An Intimate Evening of Music with Chase Rice presented by Werner Ladder will be streamed Sunday, November 15 at 7:00pm EST. To tune into this free performance event simply log onto the Facebook pages of Coach to Cure MD or Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
Chase Rice is best known for his Double Platinum chart-topping single “Eyes On You” and for co-writing the smash hit “Cruise,” recorded by Florida-Georgia line – which topped the country chart longer than any song that came before it. Rice’s virtual performance is a free event, with fans encouraged to support the fight to end Duchenne by going to CoachToCureMD.org to make a donation.
Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood, primarily affecting boys of all races and cultures. People with Duchenne develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency, and a decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne. But thanks to Coach To Cure MD and the work of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, there is hope.
“The AFCA and our members take great pride in our association with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy,” AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. “Each year, our coaches look forward to wearing the Coach to Cure MD patch so that they can help bring awareness and much needed funds to help find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.”
“Football is a team sport. It requires the unique skill set of each individual player and coach in order for a team to be successful. Similarly, with Duchenne, it will take a community of researchers, scientists, clinicians, industry partners, and of course families, to find treatments and stop the progression of this devastating disease. We couldn’t fight this fight without the ongoing commitment of every coach in the AFCA,” said Pat Furlong, Founding President and CEO of PPMD. “The awareness raised for Duchenne has been nothing short of incredible, and we continue to raise more money every year as a result. The dedication of all the coaches who wear a patch in honor of our families and now this year, Chase Rice performing to support our Duchenne community, well, it is really amazing! Thank you for joining our team and helping us tackle Duchenne this November 14-15!”
“Werner is proud to help college coaches step up to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” said Stacy Gardella, vice president of brand marketing at WernerCo. “Our company is honored to partner with PPMD and Chase Rice to ensure more college football fans get the chance to step up and fight with us.”
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
