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Rockhurst University Athletics

Team Impact

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Team IMPACT makes special connection with Rockhurst teams

The men's basketball team officially signed Kylar last fall
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit organization that has been connecting children with serious illnesses or disabilities with college athletic teams since 2011.

The athletic programs at Rockhurst University first became involved with Team IMPACT in 2017 when the baseball program drafted 11-year-old Tyler from Lee's Summit, Mo., who was diagnosed shortly after birth with cystic fibrosis.

"Team IMPACT is a great organization. Our players have gotten as much out of it as the Team IMPACT player. It really got our team energized," said Rockhurst head baseball coach Gary Burns.

Team IMPACT children are drafted onto the team and become an official member of the team from Draft Day through to graduation. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team.

The child gains great strength, camaraderie and support and the student athletes are taught lessons about courage, resiliency and life perspective that they can't learn in a classroom. Through a structured relationship management methodology, they establish and cultivate these relationships to ensure a successful experience for the families and teams involved.

In 2011, eight former college classmates and student-athletes launched Team IMPACT by matching a nine-year-old battling cancer, with the St. Anselm's College men's hockey team.

"The Rockhurst University coaches and teams have really stepped up to make a difference in the lives of children. I'm proud of all of the programs involved in Team IMPACT," said associate director of athletics Kathy Strecker.

In 2018, the Rockhurst men's lacrosse program drafted an 11-year-old boy from Kansas City, Mo., who was diagnosed at birth with Williams syndrome, a genetic condition that is present at birth and is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges.

"When we decided to participate in Team IMPACT in 2017, we really didn't have any idea of the resounding impact it would have on our program, as much as it does on the child we were paired with," said Rockhurst head men's lacrosse coach Kevin Kelley.

"We were blessed to be paired with a young boy named Gabe, who instantly became a part of our team and family, as did his Mom and Dad, and his brother. Although the Team Impact program was supposed to last for only two years, Gabe and his family have continued to be a part of our program to this day."

According to Kelley, the impact that Gabe has had on his team has been resounding. Gabe was always happy to talk with the players and happy to share his newest interests.

"Gabe has undergone numerous heart surgeries, but he just keeps on pushing forward, always with a smile on his face, always happy and he's never short with conversation. That resilience, coupled with his positive attitude, puts in perspective for all of us just how special he is as a person, as well as how great life truly is for all of us," Kelley said.

"Team IMPACT is an experience that I would encourage every team to partake in, if given the opportunity."

The Rockhurst men's basketball program became involved in Team IMPACT last fall. The players quickly connected with 12-year-old Kyler, who did an official signing before the season started.

"It's been awesome," said head men's basketball coach Kyle Blackbourn. "Kyler has been going to a lot of our practices and games. It's been a good thing for our guys."

Last fall, the Rockhurst men's volleyball program helped kicked off their inaugural season with a press conference to announce the signing of Chase. "We want to thank Team IMPACT for making this special connection possible. Chase has been to some practices and has done some hitting with our team," said head men's volleyball coach Corey Marks.

The Rockhurst women's soccer program recently drafted eight-year-old Emmy from Overland Park, Kan., who will become part of the program this spring.

"We are looking forward to having her join our program," said head women's soccer coach Greg Herdlick. "She will be the first female Team IMPACT signee we've had at Rockhurst. We will have a signing day and have ordered stuff for her. We hope she can stay involved in our program after she leaves here in two years."

The Rockhurst athletic programs have enjoyed being a part of Team IMPACT. The teams take great pride in reaching out to others in their community and making a difference in the lives of children and their families.
 
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