It was a big day at American International College athletics community as they welcomed three new Team IMPACT teammates to their rosters! As the school year winds down, AIC’s commitment to Team IMPACT is growing. On Friday, April 30, the AIC community came together to welcome three new teammates and celebrate the Yellow Jackets’ long history with Team IMPACT.
At Team IMPACT’s first ever triple Signing Day and Field Day, the AIC baseball, men’s basketball, and field hockey teams welcomed eight-year-old Jerry, nine-year-old Shawn, and 12-year-old Eloise, respectively. Dozens of student-athletes and staff attended the Signing Days to welcome Jerry, Shawn, and Eloise to the Yellow Jackets family and to celebrate Team IMPACT’s work with AIC at the community-wide Field Day. After the letters of intent were signed, Jerry, Shawn, and Eloise joined other Team IMPACT matches Xavier (ice hockey) and Sofia (women’s volleyball) to celebrate the day with their new Team IMPACT teammates and members of the AIC Athletics and Team IMPACT communities.
“We are so excited to bring the AIC family together to officially celebrate Jerry, Shawn, and Eloise signing with their teammates,” said Troy French, Team IMPACT Case Manager for the matches at AIC. “As they join this family, we know they are being welcomed into a community of support and commitment to Team IMPACT’s mission.”
Since 2014, Team IMPACT has matched 14 children onto the AIC women’s soccer, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, football, men’s hockey, softball, women’s volleyball, and field hockey teams. Five student-athletes have also served as Team IMPACT Fellows, representing Team IMPACT on their campuses and collaborating with Team IMPACT, their athletic department, and the greater campus community to raise awareness and increase program participation. AIC field hockey student-athlete Justine Lalli is currently in her first year of the Team IMPACT Fellowship program, as her teammate Taylor Wildes completes her third. Through events like the first-ever triple Signing Day and Field Day at AIC, these Fellows and student-athletes are seeing their hard work and dedication come to life and changing the game for families, teams, and the entire Yellow Jackets community.