Text Box: Monday, November 3, 2003 Columbia University and the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center hosted a cocktail reception and sports memorabilia exhibition in honor of Lou Gehrig’s Centennial Birthday at the University’s Low Library Rotunda. The ALS Center was proud to have had the opportunity to partner with the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which generously loaned the University two-dozen rare Gehrig artifacts to display in Low Library for the evening. Some of the items included Gehrig’s complete 1939 New York Yankees uniform, the bat he used in 1934 when he won the American League batting championship, his last glove; and the plaque given to him by his teammates on Lou Gehrig Day. Ted Spencer, Vice President and Chief Curator of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, spoke on the artifacts present and gave some insight into Gehrig’s career with the Yankees. Columbia alum and noted baseball historian, Ray Robinson, best known as the author of The Iron Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time, spoke on Gehrig as a hero to both baseball and the ALS communities alike. Our master of ceremonies for the evening was John Sterling, better known as the “voice of the NY Yankees.” Sterling, who has been with the Yankees since 1989, tied the entire evening together very well by conveying stories on both baseball, and those he has known who have had ALS, such as Catfish Hunter. In addition to commemorating Gehrig’s 100th Birthday, this event was also part of the University's 250th Anniversary, of which Gehrig is remembered as a remarkable alumnus. The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center at Columbia University is the only ALS Center in the country bearing the Gehrig name. Lou Gehrig attended Columbia College from 1921-1923 before he was recruited to play for the NY Yankees. Upon the passing of his wife Eleanor, a provision was made in the Gehrig estate to set aside money to establish an ALS Center at Columbia – thus we have the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center, which you know today. All proceeds raised as a result of the Lou Gehrig Centennial Celebration will further ALS research and care at the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center. We are most thankful to those who have supported this event both in terms of sponsorship and attendance. Our major sponsors included Major League Baseball, The Marjorie Siebert Aylen Foundation, The ALS Association of Greater New York, The Wesley J. Howe Family Foundation, Karim Katiraei and HRH Construction. For more information, please contact: Lori Funicello 212-304-7200 lf308@columbia.edu