Michael Bartone Memorial
ALS Rugby Event

* DATE: Saturday May 14th, 2005
* LOCATION : Brandywine RFC Home Pitch, East Marlborough, PA
* TIME: First Match-11:00, 2nd-12:30, 3rd-2:00, 4th-3:30
* RUGBY EVENT: Scrum for Number Six

* MATCH INFORMATION

o Brandywine Old Boys versus South Jersey Old Boys
o Brandywine Rugby Football Club(RFC) versus South Jersey RFC
o Glen Mills Bulls versus Philadelphia Fight
o Media Mantarays versus New Jersey Sharks

* Michael Bartone Memorial Foundation is a recognized charitable organization under IRS Code 501 ( c ) 3, dedicated to supporting ALS research and preserving the memory of Michael Bartone

*Over $110,000 raised through sponsorships, golf and rugby tournaments and annual dinner dance

*$76,500 donated to ALS research, $25,500 to scholarship fund

* Organized in 2002

Michael Bartone participated in various levels of school and community sports for almost all of his unfairly shortened life. While there was exposure with boxing and wrestling, his experiences had mainly involved team sports. Consistent with his family values and his loyalty toward friends, a Teammate carried a special reverence. While active on the team, it means this is your ally, one who you would fight with against any other. After the season, to run into someone many years later and still share the respect, to look over decades old pictures and even then put names to every face, to recall the uniform numbers of every individual, those are the telling examples of what it means to be a Teammate.

Michael died in March 2002, during his battle with the disease. He fought until that time with the same spirit, dedication, dignity and fierceness with which he played rugby. Shortly after his death, a Memorial Foundation was formed to accomplish three key goals- carry on his battle with ALS, preserve his memory and continue his unselfish inspiration. His battle is not lost unless we quit, so we continue his fight.

While the main fund-raising efforts center on an annual golf outing and dinner dance, each now celebrating their third year, the Annual Rugby Event has special meaning for the Foundation as rugby had special meaning for Michael. The second annual Rugby Event “Scrum for Six”, in recognition of the number that Michael wore, was held on May 22nd, 2004, at the home pitch of the Brandywine Rugby Football Club in West Marlborough. Eight teams rounded out the four-match Event in a rare combination of Rugby League and Union styles of play.

Over 500 spectators enjoyed the day together. In the first match, the South Jersey Old Boys defeated the Brandywine Old Boys 22 –17. While Brandywine controlled much of the game, inspired by an early try scored by Michael’s close friend, Mark Joseph, the South Jersey team took the lead late in the game to prevail. The second Union match, between the Brandywine and South Jersey A-side teams, was won by Brandywine.

A partner in the Event is the American National Rugby League, which features a style of rugby more similar to American football than the traditional Union style. It is rare to see the two styles played together; no other venue features this mixture of styles on the same pitch and on the same day. The Connecticut Wildcats, New York Knights, Northern Raiders, and co-host, Glen Mills Bulls squared off in the final two matches of the day.

Last year, as a result of the Event, an additional thirteen thousand dollars were raised to help to accomplish the goals stated earlier. The Foundation has now donated over $76,500 in support of ALS research. The balance of the proceeds support a memorial scholarship awarded annually to a local high school student who plans to attend a trade school. Two separate $3,500 scholarships have been awarded, with a third planned for later in May. The scholarship trust is funded through 2009.

Anyone wishing to become a sponsor or learn more about ALS may contact the Michael Bartone Memorial Foundation at 474 West Prospect Avenue, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, 19335, or visit the website at www.eteamz.com/michaelbartonememorial/.

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