Gadsden, AL– Louisiana State University Defensive Line football coach Brick Haley returned to his childhood hometown last Thursday to raise autism awareness with a golf tournament. The Brick Road to Success Golf Tournament was held at Twin Bridges Country Club and raised funds for Autism Speaks, an organization that prides itself on raising awareness of the autism learning difference.
Haley returns to town four-five times out of the year and makes sure to help out with each visit. Haley told the Gadsden Times,
“This community has done so much for me, it’s only right I come back and give back.”
Haley was inspired to help the autism organization by his son A.J. who was diagnosed as being on the spectrum when he was about 7-8 years old. He hopes the fundraiser will get other children diagnosed sooner. Haley added,
“I know there are people out there who don’t know (if their child is autistic). Early diagnoses makes a huge difference in a child’s development.”
The fundraising goal is 10,000 dollars and along with the tournament Haley plans to auction off signed footballs, jerseys, and helmets from well known NCAA and NFL coaches Nick Saban, Kevin Sumlin, Sean Payton, and Gus Bradley. He will also include memorabilia from LSU as well.
For the past year Hayley has been helping Autism Speaks build an autism center in Baton Rouge, La. Diagnosis of autism has increased 78 percent in recent years largely due to improvements in diagnosis.
To learn more about Brick Haley’s efforts and Autism Speaks visit: www.brickroadtosuccess.com and www.autismspeaks.org