NORTH ANDOVER, MA (Nov.11) – Today, Merrimack College announced a new team member, signing 7-year-old Sammy through Team IMPACT.
Sammy, who lives with an autoinflammatory disease, officially signed with the team today at Gallant Pavilion. He will participate in many activities with Merrimack, including games, practices and other team events, over the next two years.
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.
Merrimack College has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 15 years, matching 40 children across its 19 teams.
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Sammy join the Warriors" said Amy VanRyn, Chief Program Officer at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to partner with Merrimack College, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."
From Merrimack Soccer Head Coach
Tony Martone; "Myself and the players are thrilled to continue our journey with Team IMPACT with Sammy, after Brady Antaya was with us for the past 11 seasons. We're very excited to welcome Sammy into our family and we hope this can be a relationship that can last for years to come."
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 4,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit
www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For Merrimack College:
Cameron Urbowicz,
urbowiczc@merrimack.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo,
kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
