As the volleyball season nears its close, this month holds an important day for the community, Spike MS. The event will take place on November 19th. Here is what the JV boys’ volleyball coach, Mr. Hayes, had to say about the event. 

What is the importance of Spike MS?

We have run this tournament to raise awareness for the disease, to donate to the local chapter, as well to bring our volleyball community awareness and friendships through the use of volleyball.

How long have we had this event?

I think this is the ninth year doing this tournament. Again, we started out not knowing what we were going to really do and how it was going to work. Volleyball is a really unique sport and the fact that you could take varsity level players, JV level players, in both genders, and mix them up, and if you know how to play, you know how to play. So it’s really unique in that fact that we can all play at the same time on the same net and play the great sport of volleyball. 

How successful has this event been?

You talk to some of the players that have graduated, this is the event that they remember. Getting together, we always have the music going, playing in a championship round when there’s 60 other people sitting there that understand the game of volleyball so they know what good plays are and what bad plays are. It’s one of my highlights of my entire year.

What is MS?

MS stands for Multiple Sclerosis. It’s a disease that affects the nervous system. We started this tournament nine years ago, [and] our varsity girls’ volleyball coach, his name is Jerime McHerron, was diagnosed with MS, and if you’ve ever met him, you’ll never know that he has a terrible disease. He comes in with a smile on his face, with joy and laughter, and he has this terrible disease that is breaking down his body year by year. But he loves volleyball, he loves the kids at FM, so it’s the least we can do to donate some money, raise some awareness, and bring our community together.

MS background and history 

Multiple Sclerosis may have an unknown cause due to underfunded research, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the most common disability for people under 45. It is believed to be first reported by St. Lidwina in 1396, although it was not officially ΅discovered” until 1868, by Jean Martin Charcot, who is often referred to as the founder of neurology. Symptoms often include difficulty walking, balance and vision problems, weakness in limbs, and drooping face muscles, for the disease consists of hardened lumps called plaques growing on brain tissue, blocking impulses to other parts of the body. Though there are 4 types, the most common is Secondary Progressive, where attacks, or relapses, obviously become worse. Today, there are over 20 treatments, but there has been no cure yet. 

Although Multiple Sclerosis is such a horrible disease, Spike MS has done its best over the previous years to raise awareness through an enjoyable sport.