BEVERLY, Mass. — The Endicott men's lacrosse team will be hosting a Team IMPACT Day on Saturday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. as the Gulls open Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play against Roger Williams University at Hempstead Stadium.
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 | ENDICOTT vs. ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY (3 P.M.)
Before the game, the Endicott men's lacrosse team will honor #17 Ken Wallace (Ipswich, Mass.) as an honorary captain for his commitment to the Gulls' program in his third season proudly wearing the Blue and Green.
The Gulls and the 15-year-old Wallace were matched two years ago through the people at Team IMPACT, an organization established in the spring of 2011 dedicated to connecting courageous young children that are facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams to help improve their quality of life.
Team IMPACT aims to help children gain strength, camaraderie, and support while the student-athletes are taught lessons of courage, resiliency, and life perspective that cannot be learned in a classroom.
"Endicott and Team IMPACT will continue to honor their strong, longstanding, and successful relationship and we love having Ken be part of our team," said second-year head coach Eric Hagarty '10.
Ken Wallace Signs with Endicott Men's Lacrosse! (PHOTOS)
Wallace officially joined the Gulls on Feb. 5, 2015 on Signing Day and the relationship has flourished ever since. A stroke suffered before he was born left Wallace with disabilities on the left side of his body, and he also began having epileptic seizures at age 5, but this hasn't slowed him down one bit from taking his coveted role as team manager seriously.
"Having Ken Wallace and the rest of the Wallace family as a part Endicott Lacrosse means a lot to the whole team," said sophomore goalkeeper Ethan Baer (Larkspur, Calif.). "We've had a positive impact on Ken's life, but what is equally as important is the impact Ken and the rest of his family have had on the team. Ken and his family have gone through a lot of adversity, but they continue to be great people. Their positive attitude is infectious. We love having Ken and his family around and want to keep building upon an already strong relationship."
ALL ABOUT 'FAMILY'
Whether they're having dinner as team, celebrating holidays, or cheering loud and proud on the sidelines, support is a word the team takes to heart.
"They are his extended family and Endicott is 'his' College," said Wallace's mother, Janet.
Wallace and his teammates are like brothers, and what do brothers do? They laugh (a lot!) and show encouragement with handmade posters, good luck videos, and an abundance of high fives!
After the games, Wallace will often lead the team through the handshake line and will count off the postgame huddle cheer: "1-2-3, Family!"
"One of the most significant things in his recovery is his involvement with the team. He loves socializing with his big brothers, they are his buddies," said Mrs. Wallace.
For instance, the team often attends Ken's own adaptive lacrosse games through the Cape Ann Youth Lacrosse's Adaptive Lacrosse Program.
In addition to Ken Wallace, the Endicott family also would like to acknowledge the current partnerships with Endicott men's soccer's Team IMPACT teammate Jack, and three You're With Us teammates: Endicott men's basketball's Brett, Endicott women's soccer's Yeanna, and Endicott dance team's Caroline.
"This isn't just about Ken or the team, it's about Endicott as a whole," said Mrs. Wallace. "I hope we can build on this relationship for years to come."
DONATE TO TEAM IMPACT
A donation table will be set up at the entrance of Hempstead Stadium with all proceeds going directly to Team IMPACT to create more awareness.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT's mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
To learn more about the Team IMPACT organization, please visit their website here.
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