NORTH ANDOVER, MA. – Merrimack College head coach
Erin Hamlen announced a new team member, signing 14-year-old Neala Prakop through Team IMPACT.
Neala was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Saturday, September 24
th at the Merrimack Athletics Complex. She will participate in many activities with the women's ice hockey team including games, practices, and other team events.
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Neala officially join the Warriors," said Danielle Hardee, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside Merrimack College, their athletic department and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."
"Merrimack Women's Hockey is proud to work with Team Impact in welcoming the newest member of our team, Neala. Our student-athletes and staff cannot wait to spend more time involving Neala and her family in all aspects of our program, and cheering her on in all of her pursuits." said Hamlen.
Merrimack College has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 11 years, matching 29 children across its baseball, men's and women's basketball, cheerleading, football, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's rugby, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball teams.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit
www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For Merrimack College:
Ciaran Cullen, cullenc@merrimack.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo, kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
