University of Massachusetts Dartmouth head coach Brian Baptiste announced a new team member, signing 13-year-old Joseph Ferriera through Team IMPACT.
Joseph, who has Cystic Fibrosis, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Thursday, October 27th at the Tripp Athletic Center on campus. He will participate in many activities with the 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 Joseph officially join the Corsairs," said Danielle Hardee, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside UMass Dartmouth, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has worked with Team IMPACT for the past nine years, matching 12 children across its baseball, softball, football, women's and men's basketball, men's hockey, men's soccer, women's lacrosse, and women's swimming teams.
"Everybody has a tough day, nobody will understand that more than you do," said Baptiste. "But you win every day and every hour, put your best foot forward. And with that we would like to present you with this game jersey and say 'Welcome to the UMass Dartmouth Men's Basketball team."
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.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up