ALS “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (a-my-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), known as ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causes loss of muscle control, and is 100% fatal, with a 2-5 year life span upon diagnosis. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's Disease named after the Major League Baseball player who's legendary resilience with ALS became well known after his 'Luckiest Man' speech in Yankee Stadium. Gehrig was diagnosed at the age of 36, and nearly 90 years later, there is still no cure..

The Numbers

'723' are very close to me. My college baseball coach, Keith LeClair, wore #23, his coach and mentor, Jack Leggett, wore #7, and I also wore #7. One of my missions in life is to honor Coach LeClair by telling his incredible and inspirational story by creating a movement around his legacy.

The 723 Foundation Story

"I had a front row seat when my college coach, Keith LeClair, was being diagnosed with ALS. I had only been in Nashville for a year or so, after I finished playing baseball, and had started touring the Carolina's and Georgia. Coach LeClair had taken the East Carolina head coaching job after we (Western Carolina) lost in the NCAA Regionals to Auburn. When I would play shows close to Greenville, NC, I would stay with coach and his family. It was during one of those visits that he told me his biceps were cramping when he'd shave, that he was losing weight, tired, and having trouble doing much of anything requiring his muscles. That was eye opening because he was one of the physically strongest humans I knew. I remember watching him struggle to play catch with his son in their living room. The process they went through during diagnosis, not knowing, and then finding out was heartbreaking. From that point on, I have been profoundly and positively effected by the strength he showed during his fight". - Matt Stillwell (Founder)

The 723 Foundation was launched in 2019, to serve as Matt Stillwell's vehicle to support causes that he care's deeply about. The foundation launched with The LeClair Legacy at Bear Lake Reserve in Tuckaseegee, NC. The event brought several former teammates, coaches, and players of Keith LeClair together to celebrate his legacy. Soon after, the pandemic shut down the foundation's efforts, but Matt didn't stop developing its overall plan and quest in the fight for those living with ALS.

Today the foundation is ramping back up and is currently planning several things to build awareness and raise money. A premiere college baseball tournament based around the 723 Coaching Tree held in Nashville, TN. A benefit concert to kick off the tournament that will honor the life of former college baseball player and country artist, Bryan Wayne Galentine. The tournament and concert line up with Matt Stillwell and Bryan's vision of taking the ALS fight to college baseball and country music. In addition to the tournament and concert, the foundation will focus on curating exceptional experiences held at exclusive venues across the country. Songwriting sessions, hunting and fishing trips, and more.

The Mission

• Turn the inspirational story and influence of Keith LeClair into a movement for those living with ALS, that is the equivalent to The Jimmy V Foundation, but in College Baseball for LeClair.

• Utilize the reach and exposure of an ESPN Documentary with Jeff Passan, 2026’s MLB’s Lou Gehrig Day, and College World Series to launch the movement.

• Curate a Premiere College Baseball Tournament and Benefit Concert in Nashville, as well as Exclusive Experiences in Baseball, Music, and The Outdoors at incredible venues across the country

The Legacy

Legacy: the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.

Keith LeClair's baseball resume, although cut way too short by ALS, is remarkable and is held in high regard within the baseball world. The real story, however, lies in what he did after his diagnosis. LeClair sent devotionals to his growing email list, wrote for magazines, and spoke at conventions and churches. The devotionals began daily, but as his ALS progressed and made it difficult for him to produce, they turned into weekly and monthly devotionals.

As his family, friends, former teammates, players witnessed his dedication and fight, they found out the true measure of a man. That created a lasting impact on so many people, including some of the most successful coaches in baseball today. The coaching tree that he and Jack Leggett created includes 14 current Division 1 coaches, multiple assistants, and multiple professional coaches. Many credit his fight and his influence, as their own driving force, and one of the most important things they pass on to their players. That's a true legacy.