UNF President John Delaney chose one of the coldest days of this summer to take on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Today,  Aug. 25, students and camera crews counted down to see Delaney, standing under the Student Union stairwell, have three buckets of ice water dumped over his head.

Many people challenged Delaney, such as Angie’s Subs and North Florida Ospreys Coach Matthew Driscoll. Delaney challenged the vice presidents of UNF.

“The father of a real good friend of mine had Lou Gehrig’s disease,” Delaney said. “It’s a devastating disease so anything that can get more research to try to tackle more diseases like that are positive.”

The Ice Bucket Challenge aims to spread awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, by daring people to either dump ice water over their head, or make a donation to the ALS Association within 24 hours.

Delaney said he still plans on donating to the charity.

“If he didn’t donate, it would make him look bad,” criminal justice major Daniel Melomet said. “He’s not a broke college student.”

Patrick Baker, a coastal environmental science sophomore, said, “The important thing is that it’s about ALS, not the bucket challenge.”

According to the alsa.org, ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spine. People suffering from the disease lose muscle control and can eventually become paralyzed.

Gallery photos by Camille Shaw
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Email Saphara Harrell at reporter30@unfspinnaker.com