For the third spring in a row, Boston College’s Alumni Stadium echoed not with the sounds of competition and cheering fans but with the laughter, joy, and heartfelt connection that define Team IMPACT. Boston College Field Day brought together more than 300 matched children, family members, and student-athletes from across Massachusetts, representing more than 25 local universities, and uplifting, including, and uniting the Team IMPACT community across the Northeast region.
From the moment families arrived, they were greeted by staff and BC student-athletes and welcomed through a tunnel of supporters that led out onto the football field. On the way there, they passed tables of activities sponsored by like-minded organizations like Make-A-Wish of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Camp Casco, and Camp Sunshine. Attendees enjoyed pizza sponsored by Crazy Dough, snacks donated by Wegmans, drinks provided by Coca-Cola, and milkshakes given by Shake Shack.
“Events like BC Field Day are meaningful because they embody our shared commitment to inclusion, belonging, and community,” said Kenny Francis, Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Formation & Success at Boston College. “They provide our student-athletes with the unique joy and perspective that comes from welcoming a Team IMPACT teammate into their world—whether that’s in the locker room, on the field, or throughout campus life. These experiences go far beyond the day itself. They foster lasting lessons in teamwork, empathy, resilience, and genuine friendship. The powerful bonds formed between student-athletes, coaches, staff, and Team IMPACT teammates help create a culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. It’s through events like this that our values truly come to life.”
Each activity at Field Day was a celebration of resilience, empathy, and joy celebrated in the Team IMPACT community. From face paint, bracelet-making, and inflatable games to student-athlete relays and a dunk tank, the day offered Team IMPACT teammates, their families, and student-athletes a chance to create lifelong memories and friendships that transcend the playing field.
Boston College’s Team IMPACT Field Day began in 2023 and expanded in its third year to welcome more than 50 Team IMPACT families from across the state of Massachusetts. “Being able to extend this event out to all families in the state was amazing,” said Zoe Eliades, a Team IMPACT Fellow and member of the Boston College field hockey team. “It shows that there are strong ties connected to the bond between athletics and our Team IMPACT teammates, which are strong enough to pull rival schools onto each other’s fields to celebrate.”
When Zoe first arrived at BC, Team IMPACT was new to her world. But it didn’t take long for her to know this was a program with a mission she truly believed in. “The joy that filled our whole program when we got a match was insurmountable,” she recalled. “That emotion is why this organization is special and why BC is so embedded in its influence. It connects us all together and uncovers the relationships that are built within each team. This day gives families the ability to connect with other families and teams that share common ground and shows the student athletes how important these relationships are and how impactful their time is.”
Team IMPACT Fellow and member of the BC hockey team, Kara Goulding, continued, “I can’t help but think about the smiles that I saw just walking by throughout the day. Team IMPACT Field Day allows matches to be the star of the show. It’s inspiring to see what happens when you get a whole group together striving for one goal, and that goal is to change the lives of these matches and families because everyone deserves to be a part of a team and family.”
Boston College’s Team IMPACT Field Day emphasizes what so many student-athletes in the program learn: it isn’t just about what student-athletes give—it’s about what they receive.
“Team IMPACT means community, fun, togetherness, upliftment, long-lasting relationships, and a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership development through fostering and promoting inclusive environments,” Kenny said. “This provides us with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pride to know that we can help extend the mission of Team IMPACT beyond our campus while serving as a role model for other Team Impact programs across the state. Events like our Team IMPACT Field Day illustrate that our calling to serve others and uplift humanity collectively transcends any athletic rivalry.”
Mike Winn, General Manager of Boston College Athletics for Van Wagner, echoed Kenny’s testament to Team IMPACT’s important to the BC Athletics community. “Team IMPACT is such an important part of the student-athlete experience at BC. Our student athletes have as much fun as the Team IMPACT matches.,” he said. “It is a great way to introduce student-athletes to the program that haven’t been involved before. Once you see the impact you can have, your natural instinct is to do more. It is a great way to show these Division I athletes how lucky they are and a great way to show that appreciation for what they have.”
And as inspiring at is it for administrators like Kenny and Mike to see the power of their athletes, it’s equally inspiring and empowering to the athletes themselves. For many athletes, Team IMPACT is a cornerstone to their collegiate athletic experience. “BC’s motto is ‘men and women for others,’” Zoe said, “and Team IMPACT not only allows us to help live out this message but flips it around onto us student athletes. Not only are we able to help give these children a sense of community, but they also help us. Their influence on us is monumental and helps center us in our ‘why’ we play our sport. There is not one word or phrase I can share that captures how much Team IMPACT means to BC Athletics without selling it short.”
“Team IMPACT means absolutely everything to BC Athletics,” Kara continued. “It gives us student-athletes to the opportunity to be ‘men and women for others,’ which we are always striving to achieve every single day at Boston College and beyond. The relationship we have with Team IMPACT is so strong, and we hope to continue to add more matches so that every BC team has an amazing teammate.”
A day of this magnitude is not possible without support from the entire community. We thank Boston College for hosting yet another incredible Field Day, and a special shoutout to the BC Athletics and Facilities Departments. “From welcoming more than 50 Team IMPACT families, BC and local school student-athletes, Team IMPACT supporters and staff, other local program partners, and four amazing food sponsors, we couldn’t be more grateful for BC’s amazing partnership and generosity,” said Emma Simches, Team IMPACT’s Regional Director of Program. “What an amazing day for the Team IMPACT community – a way to bring everyone together for a day of fun!”
Boston College Field Day reminded us all that being part of a team goes beyond wins and losses. It’s about making others feel seen, valued, and supported. “Events like BC Field Day are so important for not only the matches and their families to be surrounded by so much love and teams from all over the area but for the BC student athletes to be a part of something bigger than themselves and realizing they can be a part of something so life changing and special,” Kara said. “These friendships that teams and matches make are lifelong.” Through every handshake, cheer, and shared smile, BC student-athletes lived out their school’s mission—and ours.
At Team IMPACT, we know that the impact of a single day can ripple outward, touching lives in ways that last forever. Boston College Field Day was that kind of day.
Thank you, BC. We can’t wait to do it again.
