2023-24 LLL Impact Report - Flipbook - Seite 31
COURAGE
PERSONIFIED
REMEMBERING
MATT ENGLEKA
Matt Engleka was the
proud godfather of an
Ole Miss Phi Delt,
Cameron Race.
Cameron gave Matt
a Live Like Lou t-shirt
for Christmas just
months after Matt was
diagnosed with ALS at
the age of 49. Sadly, Matt passed away on May
9, 2024, at the age of 51, after a courageous
two-year battle with ALS, leaves a void in our
community, but his legacy continues to inspire
and motivate us.
An accomplished high school and college
baseball pitcher, Matt’s athletic skills extended
to his professional career when the Detroit Tigers
drafted him to play in the minors.
After his professional baseball career, Matt’s
passion for sports led him to co-found the LEJ
Sports Group in Atlanta. Through this 昀椀rm, he
played a pivotal role in creating and implementing
fundraisers, the Englekas have collectively raised
more than $30,000 for Live Like Lou, showcasing
his unwavering spirit and dedication to the 昀椀ght
against ALS.
In his 昀椀nal years, Matt and his beloved wife,
Peg, relocated to Florida, where they cherished
their time by the ocean. Matt’s journey with ALS,
though challenging, was marked by resilience
and hope. His life and legacy serve as a beacon
of inspiration for all of us at Live Like Lou and in
Phi Delta Theta.
d
MATT’S JOURNEY WITH ALS,
THOUGH CHALLENGING, WAS
MARKED BY RESILIENCE AND HOPE.
national youth sports programs such as Pitch,
Hit, and Run and Jr. Home Run Derby for MLB and
initiatives for the NBA, WNBA, Jr. Olympics, and
PGA.
But on April 5, 2022, Matt was diagnosed
with ALS. Matt’s diagnosis became a powerful
platform for raising awareness and funds for the
cause. Last year, Matt threw out the 昀椀rst pitch
on Lou Gehrig’s Day at Truist Park, home of
the Atlanta Braves. Through t-shirt sales and
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