Snyder tackles good cause
fight of his life. Former Lehigh player Brett Snyder starts ALS foundation.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
By PAUL SOKOLOSKI
The Express-Times


Brett Snyder received some horrible news four years ago when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

But the former Lehigh University fullback hasn't stopped running with it.



At a time when most ALS -- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- patients are typically nearing the end of their life spans, Snyder is starting a new mission.

Determined not to let his affliction bring him down, the rugged ex-running back is starting the Tackle ALS Foundation, Inc. -- in an effort to raise awareness and funds for research about the deadly disease.

"Obviously, the overall goal is to find a cure," said Snyder, the organization's president who starred for Northwestern High School before becoming a starting fullback for Lehigh. "But being a foundation that's just starting out, we're not going to be able to raise millions and millions of dollars for research.

"We're going a little smaller for our main goal."

Right now, Snyder's mission is to increase awareness of the disease in communities around the Lehigh Valley.

It all kicks off with a flag football game to be held July 28 at Northwestern. It will consist of four teams of former Northwestern players -- who along with fans will pay an entrance fee. Other activities throughout that day will include T-shirt sales and a Chinese auction, with all proceeds going to the Tackle ALS Foundation.

"It's one of our big fundraiser events," said Snyder, who now resides in Lansdale.

"Obviously, football was a big part of my life thus far. We're going to try to pull on my sports-related connections to try to raise awareness."

Eventually, the 29-year-old Snyder hopes to attract sponsorship for the organization. Currently donations can be made online at www.tackleals.org.

In the spring of 2005, Snyder's health was deteriorating to the point where it was getting difficult for him to hold a pencil. But he still maintains a full-time job with the engineering firm SKF of Allentown.

"It's definitely a pleasant surprise," Snyder said. "As long as I have a computer and a phone, I can do it."

And this past winter, Snyder married an old schoolmate, the former Carissa Seng. Snyder may even make his annual stop at Lehigh's Brown and White scrimmage: "if she (Carissa) lets me."

"It's good to be able to take your mind off it (ALS) and do something else," he said. "But it's something that's always on my mind.

"That's why we started this foundation."

Paul Sokoloski can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at psokoloski@express-times.com.