CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College head football coach Jeff Hafley announced a new team member, signing 12-year-old Nicholas Palamidis through Team IMPACT.
 
Nicholas, who has a brain tumor, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Monday, Sept. 18 inside the Yawkey Athletic Center. He will regularly participate in team activities and be visible on the sideline during home games at Alumni Stadium.
 
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
 
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Nicholas officially join the Eagles," said Ryan Irwin, Executive Director, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are incredibly proud to work alongside Boston College, an official partner of Team IMPACT, to create meaningful, lifelong bonds and life-changing experiences for their student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates.  Big thank you to Blake James and his entire team for their leadership and commitment to making Team IMPACT a campus priority and a key pillar of the Boston College student-athlete experience.  I'm thrilled to see Nicholas join the squad and look forward to cheering him on this season – Go Eagles!"
Boston College has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 12 years, matching 27 children across its men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, baseball, women's lacrosse, football, swimming and diving, men's and women's hockey, cheerleading, women's volleyball, men's golf, women's field hockey, and women's track teams. 
 
"I'll never forget that first time we brought [Nicholas] out to the field, he showed us how the DBs should be backpedaling. I think he might've done it better than I could have taught them to do it. During our games, when I'm ready to run to the locker room, we meet and you give me a hug, I look forward to that. It makes me feel great. I am so glad that he's a part of our team," said Hafley. 
 
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 children with 700+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.