At 12 years old, Demetrius shows everyone around him what it means to live with strength and joy. Demetrius lives with sickle cell anemia, and thanks to his match with the Swarthmore men’s lacrosse team through Team IMPACT in September 2023, he has a group of teammates who are right by his side, on and off the field.
From the start, Demetrius dove right into life with the Phoenix, attending practices nearly every week, sharing meals with his teammates, and rarely missing game day. When they can’t be together in person, the team stays connected through texts and Zoom calls, making sure Demetrius always feels included as part of the squad.
Among his many new teammates, Demetrius has formed a particularly special bond with Swarthmore student-athlete Liam Halstead. Their connection has grown quickly, rooted in encouragement, support, and plenty of shared laughs. When it came time to nominate a Teammate of the Year, Demetrius knew Liam had his vote.
“Liam is an awesome guy who encourages Demetrius and is supportive of Demetrius. Demetrius looks up to Liam,” said Brittney, Demetrius’ mom.
It’s clear that the relationship between Demetrius and Liam extends far beyond the lacrosse field. Liam has become not just a role model, but a true friend—someone who inspires Demetrius and reminds them that together, their friendship is bigger than lacrosse.
