Edina, Minnetonka high school basketball rivals team up to ‘beat’ MS

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The Minnetonka and Edina Girls Basketball teams are rivals on the court, but now they are joining forces to defeat a common opponent - Multiple Sclerosis. (FOX 9)

MINNETONKA, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnetonka and Edina Girls Basketball teams are rivals on the court, but now they are joining forces to defeat a common opponent.

No one fights alone

The backstory:

Back in 2019, an MRI found lesions on Barry Cosgriff's brain and spinal cord, after he suffered from symptoms like fatigue and numbness in his limbs for years.

Not only do he and Lynn Richert share the same position at their respective schools, they also share the same diagnosis, which Richert just received six weeks ago.

"It's soon, and it's fast, and it's early and there is more that I don't know than I do, but it's too much of a coincidence to not speak up," Richert told FOX 9.

Crush MS

What they're saying:

After holding a fundraiser for Cosgriff last year, the Minnetonka Girls Basketball Booster Club decided to honor Richert as well during its second annual ‘Crush MS’ event this year.

Fans wore white to Friday night's game at Minnetonka High School to show support for both. 
Organizers sold t-shirts, with the proceeds going to the MS Society for research. 

"I'm very touched by it. I'm overwhelmed. Regardless of the final score tonight, it will feel like a win," said Cosgriff.

"We are all super excited about it. He brings so much to our team," said Delaney Egert, a Minnetonka girls basketball player.

"Two communities can come together for a great cause and honor people who have made a really big impact on the programs," said Erin Wendorf of the Minnetonka Girls Basketball Booster Club.

Dig deeper:

Organizers raised $1,500 during last year's Crush MS event.

They hope to raise $5,000 this year. 

If you'd like to donate, click here.

For more information on MS, click here.