HomeNat Love
Michigan Alpha - University of Michigan
My Iron Phi Story
Welcome to My Personal Iron Phi Page
This year, I am going to compete in Lou's Olypics. My goal is to ski as many miles as I can from February 1 until I leave Steamboat at the end of March. This is my fifth Iron Phi event and this one might be even more special than the others. ALS is a terrible disease but we are getting closer. What our scientist need more than anything is funding. I had the oppertunity to attend the Live Like Lew Symposium this year in Ann Arbor. It was a great opportunity to see what our scientists are working on and I walked away with much hope. I also had the opportunity to tour our new facility at Vanderbilt University, this facility will compliment our facility at the University of Pittsburgh. ALS changed for me in a big way when Todd Nisbet, one of my fellow General Council members told us this past June that he was diagnosed with ALS. To see first hand the effect this disease has had on Todd and his family really brought home that we need to do more. I know deep in my heart we can do more and find a cure.
I hope to raise over $6,000 this year. One thousand for each of our founding fathers! This would bring my over all goal of raising $17,000 for Live Like Lou and Phi Delta Theta. I hope many of you will be coming out here to ski with me. My Michigan Beta brothers are coming to Steamboat the first week of February. And February 8-15 I will be with my Michigan Alpha brothers in Utah skiing in th Salt Lake area. It's going to be a blast and we will be raising money to help eliminate ALS. The mission of Iron Phi is to strengthen the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the impact it has on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease through the fundraising and athletic efforts of its members. Lou Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and our organization has taken an active role in finding a cure.
The net proceeds will support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening and treatment. It will also help strengthen an organization (Phi Delta Theta) that has had a lasting impact on my life.
According to The ALS Association's web site, approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi. To do something bold about Lou Gehrig's disease.
I have set my personal goal at $17,000. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation to help me in my efforts. (donations by US residents are tax-deducitble)? You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer. You can also send a check made out to Iron Phi to me at 6497 Brookhills Ct. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546 if you'd rather donate that way.
I hope that you'll share this incredible opportunity with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. Feel free to pass on to anyone you know who may want to help us to conquer this disease.
Sincerely,
Nat
Update February 16, 2025
Hello from a snowy Sunday in Steamboat. I just finished a week in Utah skiing with some of my Michigan Alpha fratenity brothers and their wives. We had a great time skiing and remembering our days at Michigan.
The week before I got to spend an afternoon with 12 Michigan Beta Phi Delts who came to ski and remember old times in Steamboat. Phi Delta Theta is a fraternity for life.
This year my goals were to raise $6,000, ski 600 miles and 600,000 vertical feet. So far I have skied 192 miles and 187,000 vertical feet in 14 days. So far we have raised $2,825.00.
I would like to thank the following donors who have contributed to the fight to find a cure for ALS:
Sean DeWitt
Robert Lambert
Kyle Miller
Robert Lewandowski
John Kraus
Cassie Sherry
Chip Fowler
Mike Warren
Robert Biggs
Mary Hoogerhyde
Charley Pride
Bill Brennan
Thank you all for your generous donations!
Until the next update!
Nat
Update 3/3/25
Hello everyone. On the eve of heading back to Grand Rapids for a week I thought I would update you on my progress so far. Today was a beautiful blue bird sky but snow is on its way! It seems everytime I leave Steamboat it snows.
My goal to ski 600 miles for Lou Olympics, ski 600,000 verticle feet, and raise $6,000. As of today I am at 403 miles and 397,000 verticle feet, and we have raised $3,975.
A big thank you to all of you who have donated to help battle ALS.
Sean DeWitt
Robert Lambert
Kyle Miller
Robert Lewandowski
John Kraus
Cassie Sherry
Chip Fowler
Mike Warren
Robert Biggs
Mary Hoogerhyde
Charley Pride
Bill Brennan
Tom Seeley
Joe Kohout
Michael Hyatt
Tom Walsh
Dave Greiner
Zach Love
Harvey Cosgrove
Mike Scarlatelli
Brent Smith
Thank you all for your support on this journey. Together I know we can make a difference!
Nat
My Personal Web Log
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A Day to Celebrate and Relax
Today I am taking the day off. It is sunny and warm here and a walk along the river will be a good way to stretch my legs today. Yesterday, I surpassed the million vertical feet mark! So the first part is done and now I can focus on hitting our fund raising goal. Thank you to all who have supported me on the way both finacially and with encouragement. Especially those who skied with me and made the time enjoyable. I look forward to the day when we talk of ALS as a disease of the past, unfortunately we are not there yet. Thanks to everyone who has supported Live Like Lou and the work they do to help ease the struggles of families who are coping with an ALS patient in their home and the great research that they support as we try and find a cure. There is still time to donate and help the Live Like Lou organization to be even more successful. This week if the weather holds maybe we can knock off an extra 100,000 vertical feet!
Nat
by Nat Love on Sun, Mar 07, 2021 @ 12:24 PM
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Blue Bird Sky and a Surprise
Today was a beautiful day and I passed the 900,000 vertical feet mark. We had plenty of sunshine, an absolutely beautiful blue sky, could see for over 60 miles and to top it off I saw my first moose of the year today. He was under the Thunderhead chair lift munching on some bushes. I circled around and got a picture of him laying down as he was probably letting his food digest.
Thank you all for your support! This week we passed the 50% mark on my goal to raise $10,000 for Live Like Lou as they work to find a cure/eliminate ALS. In addition they do a lot of good for families who have been affected by ALS. I couldn't do this without your support!
Thank you and I look forward to sharing when I reach the million vertical feet mark!
Nat
by Nat Love on Mon, Mar 01, 2021 @ 2:53 PM
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Great Road Trip to Utah
We had a great road trip to Utah. Met up with some of my Michigan Alpha Brothers and we skied Park City Canyons and Powder Mountain. The six inches of new powder that we received the first night made for some fun days at the Canyons. Then four more inches at Powder meant great conditions at Powder Mountain. On Sunday I passed the 800,000 vertical feet mark. (even if that included the 60 ft slide during a fall on the last run of Sunday).
It was great seeing these guys and reliving old times. On the drive home we saw a herd of Buffalo and a bald eagle!
Hope you are all staying healthy and thanks for your support as we fight ALS together!
by Nat Love on Tue, Feb 23, 2021 @ 10:41 PM
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Big Powder at the Boat!
We received lots of powder this last week. Nearly 40+" at the summit. It has been fun but a heavy powder full of moisture. Colder temps would help to make it fluffier. Snow and cooler temps are in the forecast so we shall see. Yesterday I passed 700,000 vertical feet and am closing in on my goal of 1 million vertical feet. Thanks to all of you who have been supporting me both financially and with your positive comments. Appreciate them all.
Next week I am headed to Utah for a few days to ski with some of my Michigan Alpha Brothers. Should be fun!
Hope you are all doing well! Someday let's hope that ALS will be a thing of the past.
Nat
by Nat Love on Sat, Feb 13, 2021 @ 1:06 PM
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Powder Day in the Boat - 600,000 Vertical Feed Down
We had a beautiful powder day in the Steamboat today, which was a great day to reach 600,000 vertical feet! The body will be tired tonight (and maybe a little sore) but I think we are on the downward slope to hit this goal of a million vertical feet skied for Live Like Lou to support their research to cure/treat ALS and supporting families whose lives have been affected by ALS.
On to 700,000 vertical feet!
Nat
by Nat Love on Fri, Feb 05, 2021 @ 3:42 PM
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500,000 Vertical Feet Bites the Dust!
January 28 was an exciting day as I passed the 500,000 vertical feet mark. It was a sunny day and being a Thursday the crowds were light. Taking today (Friday) off to pick up my daughter from the airport and to stock up on supplies before her girl cousins and sister in law comes in. Should be and interesting week.
I wish I could share some pictures on this blog as the scenery is beautiful right now and Sunday should be beautiful if we get the snow on Friday night / Saturday comes.
I hope that you are all doing well, staying safe, wearing your mask and getting the vaccine at your first opportunity.
Together we can beat this disease! Thanks for your support!
Nat
by Nat Love on Fri, Jan 29, 2021 @ 9:46 AM
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300,000 Feet Down
Excited for the new snow we are supposed to get tonight. We need snow to cover up the rocks and other goodies just waiting to grab your ski. Passed the 300,000 vertical feet on Saturday. Making progress but still a long way to go. Hope you all can support me, Iron Phi, and Live Like Lou!
by Nat Love on Sun, Jan 17, 2021 @ 3:18 PM
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The Road to a Million Vertical Feet
The journey has begun to ski a million vertical feet to raise $10,000 towards the fight to find a cure for ALS. As of today I am at 281,651 vertical feet. Still a long way to go but the spirit is still good. (Maybe better than the body). Thank you to all of you who are considering to make a donation or have made one.
Lets get this thing,
Nat
by Nat Love on Fri, Jan 15, 2021 @ 11:01 PM
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Completed My Segment
I completed my segment of the Iron Horse Relay. We had a beautiful day to walk in the woods. I had my son Ben and two of our grand dogs (Kenzie & Moose) with us. Our leg was part of segment 7 which runs from Old Tiger Stadium in Detroit to Wrigley Field in Chicago. Lou had much success on both fields. Thank you to everyone who supported by and helped me to reach my goal for this event to fight ALS!
Nat
by Nat Love on Wed, Jul 29, 2020 @ 9:45 AM
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Just Under 1 week Away
It is just about one week away from my participating in the Iron Horse Relay to raise money and awareness for conquering ALS. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far either financially or just by cheering me on!
Hopefully it will be a nice day as we walk our segment which is part of the Detroit Tiger Stadium to Wrigley Field in Chicago portion of the relay.
Thanks again,
Nat
Iron Phi#349
by Nat Love on Thu, Jul 23, 2020 @ 10:23 AM
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4 Weeks Away!
I am just 4 weeks away from completing my segment of the Iron Horse Relay! Thank you very much to all of you who have donated to help us eliminate ALS. We have lost too many to this terrible disease. I also just started a new book of Lou Gehrig's memoirs.
Hope it gets a little cooler for the hike. Thankfully much of it is wooded..
Thanks again everyone for your financial and moral support.
Nat
by Nat Love on Wed, Jul 01, 2020 @ 1:00 PM
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Getting Ready
I have started to get ready for my leg of the Iron Horse Cross Country Relay. I will be walking a piece of the Old Tiger Stadium to Wrigley Field section. Two iconic ballparks.
Looking forward to the day when we have a cure for this terrible disease.
Nat
by Nat Love on Tue, Jun 23, 2020 @ 7:58 PM
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7/1/2014 Only Days Away
Well only a couple of days until I leave for my hike/climb in New Mexico. Thank you to all who have supported me. We are closing in on our goal and I know with help of others we will get there.
I will try and send along some pictures when I return.
Thanks again to everyone who helped support me in the campaign.
Nat
by Nat Love on Tue, Jul 01, 2014 @ 9:55 PM
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Half Way There
6/24/2014
Today I received a donation that put me half way to my goal. 9 more days until we leave. Need help to hit my goal. If you know someone who you think might want to make a contribution to my Iron Phi campaign please pass on to them.
Thank you to everyone who has helped in reaching this goal.
Nat
by Nat Love on Mon, Jun 23, 2014 @ 10:17 PM
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Training Update
6/16/2014
Had a training session at the house tonight for Philmont. Lot's of questions but the boys are eager to go, the dads not so much. They are all wondering if they will make it. (They will, haven't lost anyone yet). Looking forward to meeting up with many Phi Delts in Vegas this weekend at the Convention. Should be a good time.
Thanks everyone who has contributed to my campaign. We are gaining momentum. Some day we will find a cure for ALS.
Take care,
Nat
by Nat Love on Mon, Jun 16, 2014 @ 10:32 PM
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How Does My Donation Make a Difference?
Your donation towards an Iron Phi athlete equally supports two very important things: Supporting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research and support of ALS families and leadership development for undergraduate members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
At the end of each year calendar year, the LiveLikeLou Foundation grants dollars raised through Iron Phi to fund its initiatives that support ALS research, scholarships to support the higher education goals of ALS dependents, and summer camp experiences for children who have a parent or grandparent with ALS.
Dollars used for undergraduate leadership development have and continue to help Phi Delta Theta educate more of its undergraduate members as they work to “Become the Greatest Version of Themselves.”
