NEW ROCHELLE, NY – For the seventh year, Iona College men’s basketball has aligned itself with the efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to highlight the awareness platform of Coaches Cure CF. Last night, both coaching staffs from Iona and Quinnipiac dressed in team sweat suits to raise awareness for the platform.
At halftime of last night’s game, Iona alum and CCCF VP and CFO John Judge (’71) sat down with Vin Parise of ESPN3 to discuss the founding and mission of organization. To watch the interview, please click here. (Courtesy of the Coaches Cure CF YouTube Channel)
In 2012-13, head coach Tim Cluess and his staff brought awareness by wearing sweat suits for its final six games, including its nationally televised MAAC Championship win over Manhattan and NCAA Championship Second Round appearance vs. Ohio State.
The Iona College alumni family of John and Monica Judge, with sons Chris and Jay, have spearheaded this initiative in honor of their nephew, Alex Tarletsky and his lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Wearing sweat suits at Coaches Cure CF Awareness games highlights and honors the dedicated discipline that those who struggle with this life threatening illness must demonstrate every day.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
Just over two decades ago, the life expectancy of a child with CF was still in the teens. Now patients with cystic fibrosis can expect to attend college and live full lives into their 30’s and beyond. Iona athletics has demonstrated not only a compassion for patients with cystic fibrosis, but have displayed the commitment necessary to bring awareness to this dreadful illness; and hopefully one day a cure.
For more information about the Coaches Cure CF platform, cystic fibrosis, and the 2017 Alex Tarletsky Invitational Golf Tournament, please visit coachescurecf.org.