‘Strike Out Parkinson Disease’ Fundraiser Debuts This
April
'Strike Out Parkinson Disease' Fundraiser Debuts This April
BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, TX - In honor of former Aggie baseball coach Tom Chandler and in recognition of Parkinson Disease Awareness Month, the Aggie baseball team invites fans to help "Strike Out Parkinson Disease" this April.
The Brazos Valley Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association will be
collecting pledges for every strike out recorded by the Aggie pitching staff
during the month of April (over the last four seasons, the Aggies have averaged
123 strikeouts in the month of April). Participants fill out a pledge form
provided by the Diamond Darlings at Aggie baseball home games, and then come out
and support the team. At the end of the month, each pledge will be tallied based
on the total number of strike outs and notices will be sent to those who
participated. The person making the largest contribution could win a chance to
throw out the first pitch at an Aggie baseball game. In the event of a tie, a
drawing will be held to determine the winner.
Parkinson disease is a brain disorder. It occurs when certain nerve cells
(neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become
impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine.
Dopamine allows smooth, coordinated function of the body's muscles and movement.
When approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms
of Parkinson disease appear.
Former A&M baseball coach Tom Chandler died Oct. 18, 2001 at his home in
Bryan at the age of 75 from supranuclear palsy, a rare form of Parkinson's
disease.
Chandler came to A&M in 1958 as an assistant coach to Beau Bell. He took
over the program in 1959 and took the Aggies to the Southwestern Conference
championship his first year, and then for 25 out of 26 seasons while he was head
coach. Under Chandler's coaching, the Aggies went to the playoffs seven times
and reached the College World Series in 1964.
Coaching one shy of 1,000 games, Chandler was among the top 15 winningest
coaches in the country and had 54 players sign professional baseball contracts.