The University of Nevada men's basketball team will help bring awareness to ALS during tonight's game 8 p.m. game at San Diego State by wearing a special shooting shirt while the coaches and staff will wear an ALS pin.  

Mark Fisher, Assistant to the Head Coach for the Aztecs and son of former 18-year SDSU head coach Steve Fisher was diagnosed with ALS in 2009.  

"As we started our preparation for San Diego State, one of the first ideas that was discussed was doing something unique for Mark Fisher and the Fisher family," Nevada head coach Eric Musselman said.  "In the past, we have worn ALS pins to bring awareness to this debilitating disease. This year we wanted to put a bigger spotlight on the cause to fight ALS by having our players wear a shooting shirt that would put a spotlight on ALS. Our coaching staff has incredible respect and admiration for both Steve and Mark Fisher. We hope fans in both programs help join in the fight against ALS." 

Musselman's uncle Bob, his dad's brother and  Director of Basketball Operations Brandon Chambers father, Jay, both passed away from ALS.

ALS is short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. You might also have heard it called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it in the 1930s. A French doctor named Jean-Martin Charcot discovered the condition in 1869.

ALS is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. It affects nerves in your brain and spinal cord that control your muscles. As your muscles get weaker, it gets harder for you to walk, talk, eat, and breathe.

Every day, an average of 15 people are newly diagnosed with ALS — more than 5,600 people per year. As many as 30,000 Americans may currently be affected by ALS. Annually, ALS is responsible for two deaths per 100,000 people. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from time of diagnosis.