A team where players are the coach's strength
Students and staff at Eagle's View Academy take up their football coach's burden, walking to defeat ALS.
By Lauren Darm
Story updated at 5:59 AM on Monday, Mar. 30, 2009


When Ryan Keith, 30, found out last year he had ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually causes complete paralysis, he wasn't going to tell anyone.

But after he revealed the news of his condition at a chapel service, Eagle's View Academy students and staff rallied behind their teacher and football coach. About 115 students and staff helped raise $4,700 during last year's ALS Association's Walk to Defeat ALS in Jacksonville.

This year, "Team Keith" hopes to have just as many or more come to the walk Saturday, but they are especially excited about one addition to their group.

"We are really happy Coach Keith is going to participate this year," said Marian McDermitt, team captain and event coordinator at Eagle's View. "He's an awesome young man. It's a joy just to give to him in a small way. I wish there was more we could do."



read more of this plus video and pictures at.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/met...oachs_strength