We Do It For Lou

CrossFit Open and One Million Pounds!

This year, I'll be attempting to become an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my Fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. Thus far we have only had 1 undergraduate Phi from Lehigh University, my alma mater. who has earned the award and no Alumni.  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.

I will be competing in the CrossFit Open competition in the Masters Division, age 65+ starting on March 11, 2021.  The Open is a three day event that is the first qualifying stage of the CrossFit Games. Any athlete who wants to compete at the Games must first make it through the Open in their region. If successful I will move on to the regional competition. The purpose of the Open is to find the fittest athletes in each region in their respective age group to move on to the regionals.

WHY did I decide to undertake this endeavor?  I have thought about doing it for sometime, but never made the committment.  I recenlty was on a commerical job site performing an inspection and came across a photo of Lou Gehrig lying on the floor.  It immediately caught my attention.  It was covered with debris, dirt and dust and I picked it up and cleaned it off.  I wondered how it got there, how old it was or if it had any value.  I thought how sad to see a picture off such a great champion discarded in such a manner.  Upon picking it up I was instantly reminded of the Iron Phi and the opportunity it presented to raise money for ALS while achieving a personal athletic goal.  It inspired me to finally commit to doing it.  

MY GOAL - I just turned 65 this year and it has been my endeavor over the last 10 years to get myself into shape.  A physical shape that would allow me to do all the things I wanted to do in retirement.  I also work with Christian youth, which is physcially demanding, and I wanted to be able to continuing doing things with these young men to help mentor them and develop them into young men and future leaders.  CrossFit has helped me do that, but now it was time to go to the next level before too many more years pass. This will also help to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.

In addition to the CrossFit Open, as part of my workout regimine, I propose to lift 1,000 pounds for every $1 dollar raised, up to $1,000 dollars by the end of 2021.  That's 1,000 lbs 1,000 times or 1 million lbs. total.  I hope to raise more than $1,000, but need to cap off the amount of pounds lifted.  So far I am on track to complete that goal.

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've set my personal goal at $1,000 minimum. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $25, $50 or $100, or of any size you feel led (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 400 Eagle Nest Drive, Camden, DE 19934 if you'd rather donate that way.

I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Greg Scott