Written by Nicolas Notarangelo '24
- ECGulls.com Contributor
BEVERLY, Mass. – Team IMPACT has helped form numerous life-changing bonds for countless children and Endicott student-athletes since both organizations became connected in 2011.
The two organizations, whose values are based around promoting empathy, camaraderie, and resilience, recently agreed to an enhanced two-year commitment to further develop their long-lasting partnership.
Here's how Endicott's softball, men's and women's ice hockey, men's soccer, and women's lacrosse teams have stayed connected with their matches despite the challenges of COVID-19.
SOFTBALL
This past year was very tough because of COVID. Kendall is immunocompromised so seeing her throughout the pandemic was a challenge. We mostly utilized Marco Polo to communicate with her and keep her involved. We also registered our team for the Team IMPACT Spooktacular Contest, so we planned to get together with Kendall, wear Halloween costumes, and put together a fall-themed activity with her.
We usually try to host activities relating to the seasons, such as apple picking, gingerbread houses, etc. Now that the guidelines aren't as strict with COVID, we are hoping to get her back on campus more, but we will definitely continue to utilize Marco Polo to stay in touch" - Lauren Bower '22
WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY
"This past year with Sarina has been challenging due to COVID restrictions, but we certainly made the best of it! We were able to go out for ice cream multiple times, which was super fun. While at ice cream, we played one of Sarina's favorite games which is Animal Trivia. She also had the opportunity to come to one of our practices last year. Although she was upset that she couldn't skate by herself, she had a great time watching, playing duck-duck-goose in the parking lot, and mini hockey in the hallways. Her mom told us soon after that practice, she was using her own hockey stick at home and got a pair of her own skates. Hopefully, she will be able to hop on the ice with us soon!
One of our favorite memories with Sarina was her signing day. Sarina can be a little shy, so it was great to see her come out of her shell that day. We know she was smiling the entire time under her mask! Her favorite part of that day was definitely the Endicott teddy bear she received.
Other than that, we have played games over Zoom like iSpy and scavenger hunts. Sarina loves showing off all of her things she has at home. We are hoping to connect with Sarina soon for a mini-golf day, and have her on campus once our games begin! - Tabitha Franceschini '22
MEN'S SOCCER
"Our teammate's name is Landon and he's an amazing kid with lots of fun-loving energy and a great spirit for his life and his family life. This upcoming year we were thinking of ideas that we could do with Landon and his family off campus, but once we are allowed to bring him on campus we'll bring him to games and have a signing day for him!
Over the past year, some of our teammates and I went to his house and hung out with Landon and his family for a couple of hours just having fun! After that, we mainly just catch up every couple of weeks on Zoom calls and see if they have any fun updates to tell us. We can't wait until we have them on campus" - Zach Regulbuto '23
MEN'S ICE HOCKEY
"Matthew has been matched with the Endicott hockey team since 10/16/2020. In that time, his relationship with the team has really grown into a friendship! The team has helped him through many medical challenges and has been one of his biggest supporters.
Last winter, the team, and Matthew would regularly Zoom to watch Bruins games together and they learned his true passion for hockey! The team was able to host his official Signing Day at Matthew's school on his birthday.
Matthew has been able to attend practice this fall and is hoping to go to many more in the future! He also has been to a few home games this season and cheered on the team to victory.
While watching a game earlier this year, Matthew noticed his name called out during the broadcast. To say he was excited would simply be an understatement. Whether he's wearing his Endicott hockey shirt, sweatshirt, or attending one of the Bruins' watch parties, Matthew feels like he is part of a team. You have brought our little guy happiness and excitement especially in these trying times where social interaction is extremely difficult. We want to thank all of you from the bottom of our heart." - Alex Givens, Team IMPACT
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
"It has been extremely tough getting together with Ava since we are not allowed to host Team IMPACT Events on campus this year and with COVID, we have been very cautious to spend time in person with Ava because of many factors. In the past year, we have had plenty of Facetime and Zoom calls with Ava but we were finally able to get together with her as a team recently and went apple picking, which was a blast.
Our team spent a nice fall Saturday morning apple picking with Ava and it was great to see her and have our new players finally meet her. This past year has been mostly Zoom calls with small groups of our teammates talking with Ava, and lots of texts checking in with her. COVID presented a lot of challenges, but we wanted to make sure to support our girl Ava in any way we could.
It's been a privilege being matched with Ava and getting the opportunity to watch her grow into a mature young lady. We're hoping within the next few weeks to have Ava come to campus and watch some of our fellow Gulls compete." - Carly Pierce '24, Victoria Hurley '23
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Team IMPACT also serves as a therapeutic program that complements a child's medical treatments, as they develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.
Since its inception in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 2,000 children with collegiate teams at over 700 institutions in 49 states, reaching over 60,000 student-athletes — all of whom come together to ensure no child is sidelined by sickness.
If you know a child who may be interested, visit www.goteamimpact.org for more information.
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(Photo Credit - Women's Lacrosse)
