Written by Stephanie Moreau '26 (women's volleyball student-athlete)
- Endicott Athletics Student Beat Writer
BEVERLY, Mass. — Student-athletes across Endicott's campus have formed valuable friendships through the athletic department's connection with Team IMPACT.
Team IMPACT is an organization that matches children with serious disabilities and illnesses with college sports teams. Over the years, the organization has become known for creating lasting and meaningful connections between Team IMPACT players and Endicott's student-athletes.
In April of 2021, Endicott College partnered with Team IMPACT for an enhanced two-year partnership agreement that would last from 2021 through 2023. Over the past 10 years, Endicott has been able to be a part of 17 matches.
The History Behind Endicott's Relationship with Team IMPACT
Endicott has had a close connection with the Team IMPACT program since 2013, when Vince Skelton, Endicott's first Team IMPACT match, signed with the Gulls' football team. Luke Somers, a prominent member of the 2013 team, formed a strong friendship with Vince that has lasted to this very day. Luke and Vince just celebrated 10 years of friendship through Team IMPACT, and came back to campus together to speak to student-athletes last Spring at the athletic department's end-of-year award ceremony.
Throughout the 10 years that Endicott has been in partnership with Team IMPACT, the women's lacrosse, softball, men's soccer, baseball, men's golf, men's basketball, women's ice hockey, men's ice hockey, and football teams have all created a strong relationship with a Team IMPACT player.
Since Vince's signing, Endicott's athletic teams have worked hard to strengthen the relationship between the college and the Team IMPACT program. The women's volleyball team currently has a Team IMPACT player, Stella, who has been involved with the team for two years now. The men's lacrosse team has also been heavily involved with Team IMPACT, as they are involved with two All-Star players (graduated out of the program, but still connected), Ken and Patrick.
Forming Lifelong Friendships On and Off the Field
In 2015, the Endicott men's lacrosse team signed Ken Wallace as a Team IMPACT player. Ken has remained involved with the team to this day. Sean Quirk, Associate Director of Athletics and former men's lacrosse coach, was heading the team when Ken became a part of the program.
"We were hesitant about bringing Kenny on because of the time commitment that it was going to take, and I will say it then, and I will say it today, it was the best coaching decision I ever made in 25 years," said Quirk.
Quirk immediately saw the impact that the pairing had on Ken, as he had found a sense of belonging and confidence. For Quirk's student-athletes, the pairing fostered a friendship that is still flourishing today.
Quirk also mentioned the emotional connection that he had formed with Ken. He decided to run the Boston Marathon for Team IMPACT, in honor of the relationship that Ken had established with his team.
"At the time, I was having an IT band injury, and I couldn't run anymore. And I saw Ken at mile 20, and he just gave me the juice to just go and finish it. And it literally brings tears to my eyes," said Quirk.
A New Perspective
Ken has been an inspiration to Quirk, and many others whom he has crossed paths with as a member of the Endicott men's lacrosse team, including Pat, the newest of the program's Team IMPACT players.
In February of 2022, Pat Bell signed with the Endicott men's lacrosse team, and was taken under Ken's wing. Ken, an alum of the program, remained in close contact with the team, and has acted as a mentor to Pat ever since his signing.
Since joining the team, Pat has also become an integral part of the lacrosse program. Zach Hojnowski, a member of the Endicott men's lacrosse team, has formed an especially strong bond with Pat.
Hojnowski mentioned how prior to coming into the program, he noticed the great culture that the team had when it came to staying involved with Ken. He was looking for ways to get involved in the community, beyond lacrosse, just around the time that Pat was being brought onto the team.
Now, a year after Pat's signing, Hojnowski considers him a friend, rather than just a teammate. The program "helped me create a bond that I feel like I wouldn't have found anywhere else, and that I didn't know I needed," added Hojnowski.
When asked about his favorite part of being so closely involved with the Team IMPACT program, Hojnowski was quick to mention that he enjoys seeing how much of a difference he is making in Pat's life. Hojnowski recognized how beneficial this pairing has been, as Pat has become comfortable with the team and developed bonds that are going to continue to make a big difference in his life.
The partnership between the men's lacrosse team and Team IMPACT has given the players a new perspective on life, as they have been able to form lasting bonds that have helped them to better understand each other, as well as Ken and Pat.
"There are certain things I look at now and stuff that I wouldn't want to do normally; I go out there and do it, because Pat and Ken obviously wish they had the opportunity to do this, and you just never know what someone is going through or what someone has to deal with," said Hojnowski.
Finding a Family on the Volleyball Court
Stella Puzzo joined the Endicott women's volleyball team in October of 2021. Over the past two years, Stella has become a member of the Endicott volleyball family, according to head coach Tim Byram.
Nicole Puzzo, Stella's mother, heard about the Team IMPACT program through a friend of hers, whose daughters were paired with the Boston College Lacrosse team.
The women's volleyball team had been hoping to sign a Team IMPACT player for several years, before being matched with Stella. Coach Byram commented on how he would get in contact once a year with Team IMPACT, in hopes of finding a match. As the years went on, the team became more and more eager to get involved, and finally, the day came.
"When we were finally told that Stella was joining our team, we were so excited, and I think that it was something that kind of brought us all together to set up this super welcoming community," said Lexi Tecun.
Tecun, a member of the 2023 women's volleyball team, has enjoyed getting to know Stella and her family over the last two years. Tecun, along with the other members of her team, has joined Stella in completing workouts, attending her swim classes, and spending time with her and her family whenever possible. Tecun commented on how this relationship has made her realize how important it is to focus on the little things, as Stella finds great joy in just being around the team.
While Stella is graduating out of the program this December, the team has made it very clear that she will still be an important member of their family.
"Even though they [the Team IMPACT players] aren't technically in the program, they are always going to be family," stated Tecun.
The relationship between Stella and her team has had a strong impact on her, which is visible to all those that she has grown beside over the last two years. "From what I see of Stella, at first she wouldn't leave her mom's side or her aide's side, and now she just kinda comes into the gym and runs the show," said Coach Byram.
While talking about her graduation from the program, Stella and Nicole made it clear that they also hope to remain a part of the team. Stella mentioned that she wants the team to know that their time together is not over yet.
Leaving a Lasting Impact
Every student-athlete, coach, family member, and Team IMPACT player who is involved in this program can attest to the magic that Team IMPACT has created for these players and their families.
"I think all the girls, even the ones from last year that have moved on, they just really made such a great impact on Stella personally, and she loves going and loves being a part of it," said Nicole Puzzo.
As Quirk said, "Team IMPACT is just a game changer." This program has done so much for not only student-athletes on campus, but children in the local community.
"I'll never ever forget seeing Ken Wallace walk across that field, and just the smile and joy that he had. And I see somebody like Stella, in her wheelchair, going through the handshaking line, just that smile and her eyes beaming," said Quirk.
And that's what it's all about; the smiles on the players' faces.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Chris Lyons '22)
