723 Foundation Overview
723 Foundation
The 723 Foundation was founded by country artist and former college baseball player Matt Stillwell to serve as a vehicle to support ALS-related causes. Matt played for Keith LeClair, who succumbed to ALS at the height of his career. LeClair’s resilience had a profound influence on Stillwell, and has led to the growing movement around LeClair’s legacy.
If you're going to put your name on something, make it your best work. - Keith LeClair
Keith LeClair's Legacy
Keith LeClair was a former baseball player and coach. He is one of winningnest coaches at both his alma mater, Western Carolina, and at East Carolina where the baseball stadium is named after him. His brilliant coaching career was cut short by ALS, but his legacy continues to shine through the many players and coaches he influenced along the way. LeClair’s true legacy lies in his battle with ALS. LeClair didn’t give up, he fought. He sent devotionals to a growing email list, wrote for magazines, and spoke at conventions and churches. As his family, friends, former teammates, and players witnessed his dedication and fight, they saw the true measure of a man. Many coaches credit his fight and his influence as their own driving force, and one of the most important things they pass on to their players.
The 723 Coaching Tree
Along with his mentor, Jack Leggett (Hall Of Fame coach at Vermont, Western Carolina, Clemson, and USA Baseball), LeClair built one of the strongest coaching legacies in all of college baseball. Leggett (#7) and LeClair’s (#23) tree includes multiple Division 1 head and assistant coaches, and professional scouts, professional coaches, and professional front office personnel. There are numerous National Champions, NCAA Regional Champions, Conference Champions, and even World Series Champions in the tree. 723 Teams include Clemson, Vanderbilt, Florida, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, Liberty, Binghamton, St Johns, Cornell, the Citadel, UNCG, with more being added each year.
The Biggest Stage
The fruit of the 723 Coaching Tree was showcased in this year’s MLB Playoff Race. Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners) grew up in the dugout with his dad Todd, who played with LeClair and for Leggett at WCU. Todd also coached at WCU and ECU for LeClair. Cal remains close with LeClair’s son JD and Leggett to this day. Trey Yasavage and Jeff Hoffman (Toronto Blue Jays), both played at East Carolina in Clark LeClair Stadium for Cliff Godwin, a former player and coach under Keith LeClair and Todd Raleigh.
Matt's Testimony
“I played for Coach LeClair at Western Carolina where he led us to multiple Southern Conference Championships and NCAA Regionals. After my playing days were over and I jumped into music, I had a front row seat as Coach was being diagnosed with ALS. When I would perform near Greenville, NC, I would stay with Coach and his family. It was during one of those visits he told me his biceps were cramping when he shaved, that he was losing weight, feeling tired, and having trouble doing much of anything that required his muscles. That was eye-opening, because he was one of the strongest humans I knew. His nickname was ‘Condo’ because of his freakish strength. I remember watching him struggle to play catch with his son, JD, in their living room, and it crushed me. The process they went through during and after his diagnosis was heartbreaking. The strength Coach showed during his fight forever changed me”.
Details Of The Foundation
The Story
The 723 Foundation launched in 2019 with The LeClair Legacy at Bear Lake Reserve, where numerous teammates, coaches, and players of Keith LeClair came together to celebrate his legacy. While COVID-19 shut down the foundation's public efforts, Matt didn't stop developing an overall plan for the foundation. As the popularity of college baseball and country music grew, so did LeClair’s influence. That growth helped shape a clear plan to turn Keith LeClair’s influence into a movement for those living with ALS. The LeClair Movement for ALS, is college baseball’s equivalent to college basketball’s Jimmy V Foundation for cancer.
The Mission
The 723 Foundation’s mission is to inspire hope, foster collaboration, and drive progress in ALS research to ensure Coach Keith LeClair’s spirit endures.
Beneficiary
The Permobil Foundation
The 723 Foundation has officially entered a partnership with The Permobil Foundation
Approved Collaboration Items
- Cross-Promotion & Awareness
- Wheelchair Surprises & Event Activations
- Keith LeClair Classic – March 1 - Greenville, NC
- Bob Waters Honorarium / Sept 18/19, 2026 - Cullowhee, NC
- Collaboration with the Seattle Mariners
- Additional opportunities for the ALS community
About The Permobil Foundation
- The Permobil Foundation offers valuable support and financial assistance to improve the quality of life for individuals with mobility limitations, including product support for end-users.
- Permobil chairs provide users with the independence and freedom to live a life of normalcy.
- First in the industry to offer additional funding opportunities to individuals who had been denied by insurance, helping them gain access to mobility solutions. Since our launch in 2017:
- Supported over 550 non-profit organizations and helped 7,000+ individuals (denied by insurance) get a wheelchair that provides independence and dignity.
- The Permobil Foundation has supported over 2,700 ALS warriors with Permobil parts and wheelchairs.
The Plan
Utilize the reach, resources, influence, and talent of Matt Stillwell and the country music industry, Jack Leggett and the baseball community, and the Permobil Foundation to raise money, raise awareness, curate exclusive fundraising events and launch a movement to cure ALS.
Phase I - Launch
- March 1, 2026 - Keith LeClair Classic - Greenville, NC
- Western Carolina vs East Carolina
- Permobil Foundation Chair Giveaway
- June 2026 - National Media Launch
- PerMobil Foundation Chair Giveaway with Seattle Mariners
- Corresponding Benefit Concerts, Media Appearances and Interviews
- September 18/19 - Bob Waters Weekend - Cullowhee, NC
- Permobil Chair Giveaway
- Bob Water's Honorarium
Phase II - Continue To Build Awareness
- Partner with Country Radio to tell the story - Matt Stillwell
- Curate Exclusive Fund Raising Experiences
- PerMobil Foundation, MLB, and 723 Teams for Electric Chair Giveaways
Phase III - LeClair Legacy Weekend
March 2028 - Statesboro, GA - Georgia Southern University
- 3-Day, Baseball Tournament
- Large Kickoff Benefit Concert
- Exclusive Nightly Shows with A-List Artist and Songwriters
Team
- Founder: Matt Stillwell
- Marketing & Sponsorships: Playbook Consulting
- Public Relations: Kremer Communications
- Advertising/Marketing Agency: HLK
- Legal: Derek Crownover (Loeb & Loeb)
- Partner: Permobil Foundation