Inspired by Scott Matzka, a former University of Michigan hockey player (1997-2001) who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2014, the U-M hockey team held its third annual ALS Awareness Game on October 26 at Yost Ice Arena. Matzka, who helped U-M win the 1998 national championship, was joined at the game by his parents and son, Owen, who dropped the ceremonial puck before the game.
Showing their support for the Matzka family, in addition to all affected by ALS, were the clinical and research teams from Michigan Medicine’s ALS Center of Excellence. Dr. Eva Feldman, research director for the Center, and Dr. Stephen Goutman, clinical director for the Center, were on hand for the game and participated in the pregame ceremony.
MICHIGAN REWIND: For Matzka#IceALS // #GoBlue
Posted by Michigan Hockey on Tuesday, October 30, 2018
“Increasing awareness about ALS is critical to the work we perform, not only in our clinic, taking care of these patients, but also in the laboratory, performing research to help combat this disease,” said Goutman, who is an associate professor of neurology. “The Michigan hockey program has been valuable in helping us spread the word, and we are indebted to Coach Pearson and Coach Berenson for their support.”
Feature Story: Matzka Says ‘MyTurn’ to Raise Awareness, Pay it Forward
Throughout the night, staff members from the Center worked a table on the concourse, answering questions from patrons. Several people stopped by to share a story about a loved one who had been affected by ALS.
On the airwaves, play-by-play announcer Al Randall spoke to Dr. Feldman during the first intermission about the challenges of ALS and how she and her staff are fighting the disease.
Dr. Feldman at U-M Hockey's 3rd Annual ALS Awareness Game
Dr. Eva Feldman discusses ALS and the future of treatment for the disease during the ALS Awareness Game on October 26. Michigan Hockey Al Randall Higgins ALS Association- Michigan Chapter #IceALS
Posted by University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research and Discovery on Friday, November 2, 2018
Dr. Feldman was also featured during a live, in-arena interview on the video board at second intermission.
Dr. Feldman Speaks at 3rd Annual ALS Awareness Game
At Michigan Hockey's 3rd Annual ALS Awareness Game, Dr. Feldman was featured during a live, in-arena interview on the Yost Ice Arena video board during the second intermission.
Posted by University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research and Discovery on Monday, November 5, 2018
“Scott Matzka was a healthy, strong player here in college for us, a great player,” said Mel Pearson, head coach of the U-M hockey team. “He won the ‘98 (national) championship. It was good for our team to have Scott in the locker room tonight. I told (the players) that winning is important, but the cause and what we’re trying to do to help ALS and help Scott is more important. To have the team rally around him and sing The Victors was really special.”
U-M Hockey Coach Mel Pearson on the ALS Awareness Game
Mel Pearson, head coach of the Michigan Hockey team, talks about the importance of the ALS Awareness Game and supporting Scott Matzka – MyTurn4ALS. #IceALS @Michigan Medicine @ALS Association- Michigan Chapter
Posted by University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research and Discovery on Saturday, October 27, 2018
Earlier in the week, Randall interviewed Dr. Goutman during Coach Pearson’s weekly radio show.
Previewing 3rd Annual ALS Awareness Game
Dr. Stephen Goutman, clinical director of the ALS Center of Excellence, and Matt Trevor, communications director for the Center, joined the Mel Pearson Show earlier this week to discuss Friday's third annual ALS Awareness Game with Michigan Hockey at Yost Ice Arena We reviewed how Scott Matzka – MyTurn4ALS inspired the event and what researchers and physicans are doing to help those affected by the disease. Together we can #IceALS ALS Association- Michigan Chapter Ann Arbor Active Against ALS The ALS Association
Posted by University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research and Discovery on Thursday, October 25, 2018
More information about the history of the #IceALS game can be found at https://uofmhealth.org/iceals.