NEW YORK – Columbia women's soccer has announced the signing of nine-year-old Susannah Rosen to the team's 2024 roster. Susannah officially became a member of the program through her signing Wednesday, made possible by Team IMPACT.

A press conference was held inside the Chrystie Field House at Columbia University's Baker Athletics Complex to announce Susannah's signing. She was joined by her parents, Luke and Sally, as well as members of the Columbia women's soccer team. Columbia Athletics administrators and staff also attended Susannah's signing day.

"This means a lot to us," Susannah's father Luke Rosen said. "Just all the players have committed so much time and so much effort to being with her and being her friend. She smiles every time she's here and that's just pretty amazing."

Susannah was diagnosed with a rare neurologic disease that affects her day-to-day life. Despite the challenges she faces, Susannah preservers through it all and shows incredible toughness and character that head coach Tracey Bartholomew knew would make an outstanding addition to her program.

"This is a wonderful moment for our program," Columbia head coach Tracey Bartholomew said. "We are super excited for Suzy to join the Lion family. We have an amazing group of sisters and teammates that are going to look after her."

Assistant Coach Jack Abelson and junior Sophia Cavaliere helped lead the process to make Susannah's signing possible.

"What she has given to our program already in a short period of time is something we are truly grateful for and this is a start of a long relationship and we are very thankful that she is part of the program," Columbia assistant coach Jack Abelson said.

"We are so grateful to have Suzy here," junior women's soccer player Sophia Cavaliere said. "She has already taught us so much about these rare diseases and conditions, and it's really spreading awareness. Our team really wants to give back to our community and I think this is the first step in doing so."

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.
Columbia University has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 12 years, matching 12 children across its men's and women's basketball, women's field hockey, women's lacrosse, men's soccer, softball, women's soccer and women's tennis teams. 

"Team IMPACT is excited to see Susannah join the Lions," said Emma Simches, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside Columbia University, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."

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.

FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on X,  Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.