Michigan State graduate student Luke Campbell during Pro Day press conferences as he shares his goal for Pro Day of raising money for The cure starts now charity, as well as some major inspirations though-out his football career, on Mar. 16, 2022 at the Duffy Daugherty Indoor Football Building.
During Michigan State football’s Pro Day, where 15 former players all performed exercises to show off their skills to scouts in hopes of getting a chance to play professionally, Luke Campbell, a former offensive lineman, was there for a different reason.
In July of 2018, Ian Pomeroy passed away at the age of six from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, which is a fast-growing and inoperable form of brain cancer.
Campbell first got into contact with Ian near the end of his redshirt freshman year in 2017.
“Some of his family friends reached out to me and I got in contact with his family,” Campbell said. “I never ended up meeting Ian, but we sent him a game ball.”
Although Campbell never actually got to meet Ian, his story has resonated with Campbell throughout his career at MSU.
“I constantly reflected on his story throughout my career going through injuries,” Campbell said. “Any tough day I always thought about him and his journey and his battle, because it never really compared.”
Campbell chose to do bench press reps for Ian at the Pro Day, hence the name of his campaign “Reps for Ian.”
Although Campbell’s goal was 23-25 reps of 225 pounds, he was just shy of his mark with 21 reps. Although he was slightly disappointed with his results, his real goal is to raise as much money as he can.
“I was trying to get as many as I could, trying to put my full effort into it,” Campbell said. “I was a little short of my goal but I have been cutting weight but still training hard. I am alright with 21 but I am just hoping we can raise as much money as we can.”
Campbell’s former teammates graduate student defensive end Drew Beesley and defensive end offensive tackle AJ Arcuri had nothing but praise to give to him when asked about his fundraiser.
“Props to Luke,” Beesley said. “He is one of the most selfless guys I know and he cares about his teammates and the community. It’s awesome.”
“It was great for him to do that,” Arcuri said. “That is the kind of guy he is.”
Campbell hopes other athletes can follow his lead by using their platform to perform for positive causes.
“Hopefully guys in the future can find fundraisers that mean something to them, something personal, something within their families, friends they know, people that have impacted their lives that have gone through stuff,” Campbell said. “This is a good way to give back, it is a good way to use the platform that we have because we are only here for so long so hopefully people will follow in my footsteps.”
All proceeds will go towards The Cure Starts Now Foundation, an organization that supports research and families battling pediatric brain cancer, like Ian’s family.
The goal is set at $15,000 and currently over $5,600 has been raised.
To learn more and donate, click on this hyperlink.
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