The phenomenon, which raises money for ALS research, is back in the news this summer.
The ALS 'Ice Bucket Challenge,' which raises money for ALS research, was popularized in 2014, has been back in the news again recently.
And on Monday, the challenge extended to UConn Huskies men's basketball coach Dan Hurley, who took the challenge in front of his team. Video was posted by Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant. You can see several players in the video, including star Braylon Mullins.
What is the 'Ice Bucket Challenge?'
As noted by ALS.org, the challenge began in 2014 as Anthony Senerchia, Pete Frates and Pat Quinn looked for a way to raise funds and awareness for ALS research. Frates was a former baseball player at Boston College. The challenged raised $115 million that summer.
Former Tennessee Titans star running back Chris Johnson recently went public with his ALS diagnosis, so several prominent sports figures have been involved in the challenge this summer as a result of that. It's unclear if Johnson's connection to the disease is the reason that the challenge was eventually extended to Hurley.
Once a person takes the challenge, they challenge another person or set of people to also accept the challenge, encouraging donations for research along the way. Hurley challenged former UConn assistant Luke Murray. Murray is now the head coach at Boston College, having left UConn in the spring to take the job.
About Murray
Murray has more than a dozen years of coaching under his belt at various stops around the country, so he certainly has an idea of how to build and maintain programs. He'll need to draw on those experience to help turn around the Eagles, who went 11-20 last season. The Eagles haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2009.
Murray was with UConn from 2021-26, helping the Huskies win two national championships, but before then he coached at Louisville (2018-21), Xavier (2015-18), Rhode Island (2013-15), Towson (2011-13), Wagner (2010-11), Arizona (2009-10), Post (2008-09) and Quinnipiac (2007-08).
Murray coached with Hurley at both Wagner and Rhode Island, in addition to Connecticut.
The Huskies reached the national title game last season, losing to Michigan.
About the 2026-27 Huskies
If UConn wants to get back to the title game this year, they'll have to do so with a different group of players. Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. have left for the NBA, and guard Solo Ball is reportedly out for the season with injury, though a new rule change could impact that timeline.
