EMU President Susan Martin, EMU coaches and staff make a big splash in accepting the ALS #IceBucketChallenge at Rynearson Stadium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POzXsUFv5xQ
“Don’t look up.”
That sage advice came from Eastern Michigan University Regent James Webb, seconds before two giant tubs of ice water were dumped from about 20 feet above onto a group of about 40 athletic and administrative staffers surrounding EMU President Susan Martin Monday afternoon.
The mid-day dousing of President Martin and friends came inesponse to the ALS #IceBucketChallenge. The group stood at the tunnel entrance to EMU’s new gray football field at Rynearson Stadium as EMU Mascot Swoop and others emptied the tubs, resulting in a cascade of water and shrieks and shouts galore.
President Martin had been challenged by her daughter, Diana Marsh; EMU student leader Brandon Britt and Reginald Barnes, EMU’s director of diversity and community involvement; along with others, to donate to the campaign and endure an icy soaking.
President Martin in turn challenged Jon Steinbrecher, commissioner of the Mid-American Conference; other MAC university presidents (except Central Michigan President George Ross, who had already been doused) and Amanda Edmonds, who is set to become the next mayor of Ypsilanti after winning the Democratic primary Aug. 5.
Also among those getting drenched was Sam Tocco, a sophomore transfer student who plans to study nursing at Eastern Michigan. Tocco’s great grandfather died from ALS, and her whole family, including Tocco, has already taken the challenge individually. Tocco, who's from Southgate, heard about Monday’s challenge on EMU’s Facebook page, and hustled over to the stadium to be a part of it.
“I’m so happy with how much money they’ve raised so far,” Tocco said of the remarkable success of the Ice Bucket Challenge campaign, which had raised more nearly $80 million as of August 25. “It’s a great cause they’re putting money into.”
Participants along with Regent Webb included EMU football coach Chris Creighton, men's basketball coach Rob Murphy and athletic director Heather Lyke.
For more information on the challenge, see http://www.alsa.org/fight-als/ice-bucket-challenge.html
