HAVERFORD, Pa. – Haverford College will host the Billy Lake ALS Basketball Marathon on Sat. Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. All proceeds will benefit The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter's research program to find a cure for Lou Gehrig 's disease and the Billy Lake Memorial Scholarship Fund at Monsignor Bonner High School. Billy Lake was a Havertown resident who succumbed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April 1992 at the age of 42.
The all-day basketball marathon, now in its fourth year at Haverford College's Gardner Integrated Athletic Center and 23rd year overall, features youth and adult teams competing for fun while raising funds and awareness to fight ALS.
The Haverford College women's basketball team is serving as the host for the event in honor of Libby Meeks, the mother of former Ford captain Dominique Meeks '13. Libby Meeks passed away from ALS in August of 2013 after battling the disease for more than 15 years. Members of the team will also honor Meeks by walking in the Richmond, Virginia ALS Walk later this month.
Other Haverford College students and staff will volunteer at the event as part of the athletic department's ongoing commitment to raising funds and awareness to fight ALS.
The athletic department also hosts the Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk every spring which donates proceeds to The ALS Association. During the seventh installment of the run in 2014, $10,000 was donated, making it the most successful event yet. During the event's seven years, the run has raised over $33,000.
The basketball marathon will feature games on two courts beginning at 9 a.m. This year there will be six high school boys teams competing beginning at 11 a.m. Local personalities and coaches will take on the Lake/Quinn team at 11 a.m. with the Philadelphia Phillies' Ballgirls playing the Lake Quinn women's team at noon.
All community members are welcome to participate by playing or attending games. A silent auction will take place throughout the day in Gooding Arena.
More information and registration information please go to http://www.billylake.com/history.html