Pete Frates To Receive NCAA Inspiration Award

BEVERLY, MA – Pete Frates' inspirational attitude has won him the NCAA 2017 Inspiration Award.

According to the NCAA, the award is given to a coach or administrator associated with intercollegiate athletics, or to a current or former varsity letter winner at a NCAA college.

"It is reserved for people, who when confronted with a life-altering situation, used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome their trauma, and, most importantly, are role models giving hope and inspiration to others in similar situations," according to an NCAA article.

Frates was diagnosed with ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2012 – long after he stopped playing baseball for Boston College. Not long after that, he got to work to raise awareness for the disease, and funds to find a cure.

The Ice Bucket Challenge took off in the summer of 2014 in honor of Frates. People challenged each other online to pour buckets of ice water over their heads (on video), or donate to the ALS Association, or both. The NCAA said the phenomenon raised more than $220 million for the association that summer.

According to an AP report, NCAA officials will deliver the award in-hand to Frates at his Beverly home.

Image courtesy of Endicott College