Tide Swimmers Help in the Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis
4/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
TUSCALOOSA ?? The Alabama men’s and women’s swimming team, fresh off an appearance in the NCAA Championships, took time to help in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at the Don Gambril Olympic Pool this afternoon.
Headlining the event, though, were not the Tide All-Americans, but a 13-year old from Birmingham whose efforts raising funds to fight CF have earned her national acclaim.
Emily Schreiber, who was diagnosed with CF at the age of nine, completed the second of two swims this year this afternoon at the Capstone as hundreds of Alabama students, members of the Tuscaloosa community and Tide athletic department representatives looked on.
Schreiber finished the final three of her 100 laps in front of the enthusiastic crowd and a crew from NBC’s Today Show, which will air Emily’s story in a future broadcast. She finished the day having raised more than $275,000 for the cause, giving her a grand total of more than $500,000 raised to fight CF in the past three years.
An avid swimmer for years, Emily’s idea for the fundraiser focused on individuals pledging dollar amounts for each lap she could swim ?? an idea she got from a book she’d read shortly before she learned of her CF.
Alabama athletics director Mal Moore was on hand, as was legendary Tide swimming and diving coach Don Gambril.
“I just want to say to Emily and her family that I am so proud of what she has accomplished,” Moore said. “And to all of you here and the Alabama swimming and diving team, I would like to thank you for all that you are doing to support the community and to represent our university.”
Spearheading the event for Alabama was head swimming coach Eric McIlquham, who continued his long-standing support of the fight against CF. McIlquham, who just finished his third year at the helm of the Tide program, has coached several athletes with the disease and was instrumental in organizing the event in Tuscaloosa.
“You would be amazed if at the young lady you have seen today,” McIlquaham said. “She has raised more than half a million dollars by herself. But today is not just about Emily, it is about everyone in the community who suffers from this disease. Thank you for your support today.”
The Tide swim teams assisted in the events, with some exhibitions from various members of the team. Those exhibitions included a 50-meter breaststroke lap from Vlad Polyakov, who recently won the gold medal at the World Championships in the 200-meter breaststroke.
A lunch was served courtesy of Outback Steakhouse after some entertainment provided by various sororities and fraternity members from Alabama.
