Augustana head football coach
Brad Salem, Concordia-St. Paul head coach
Mark Mauer and their coaching staffs will join forces and participate in the American Football Coaches Association's national charity project, "Coach to Cure MD," during Saturday's game at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
Salem, Mauer and their staffs will be among thousands of coaches nationwide in all levels of collegiate football who will come together to raise awareness and research funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most prolific genetic killer diagnosed in childhood. All AFCA member coaches will wear "Coach to Cure MD" logo patches on the sidelines of Saturday's game, which kicks off at 1 p.m.
"College football coaches are dedicated to the betterment of young men and that's why the entire coaching profession is proud to be a part of Coach to Cure MD," said
Grant Teaff, AFCA executive director and legendary former coach of Baylor University. "Our coaches are determined t beat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and we need college football fans to help."
On game day, football fans can donate to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research by either going online to
www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word
CURE to
90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill and standard text messages rates apply).
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic order diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys across all races and cultures. Boys and young men with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 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 this disease and limited therapeutic options exist.
This is the second year that the American Football Coaches Association has participated in this event, and last year 2, 675 colleges participated, raising over $270,000.