It’s where he found his best friend. He was matched with Princeton Men’s Hockey through Team IMPACT in 2025. Since then, Grayson has embraced every opportunity to be part of the team. Living with congenital heart defects, he has undergone multiple lifesaving heart surgeries since infancy. Those early medical challenges have also brought developmental and social hurdles, making it difficult at times to connect with peers at their own age. 

Then he met Josh, and from the very first day on Princeton’s campus, something clicked.

“From the beginning of Grayson’s Team IMPACT experience, Josh has been wonderful,” Grayson’s family shared. “From the first time they met on Princeton’s campus, we knew they formed an instant bond.” 

That first meeting became the beginning of a friendship that continued to grow with every practice, every game, and every visit. 

Rather than waiting for Grayson to become part of the team naturally, Josh made it happen. He took the time to coordinate visits, organize opportunities to spend time together, and make sure Grayson was regularly surrounded by his teammates. 

“Josh was instrumental in immediately getting to know Grayson and arranging visits and events for Grayson to hang out with the team at least once a week or every other week. Josh was a great communicator with us and with Grayson.” 

For Grayson, consistency mattered. It meant knowing there was always another practice to look forward to. Another chance to visit the locker room before a game. Another opportunity to lace up his own hockey gear and skate alongside the team with Josh never far away. 

Whether it was Signing Day, skating at practice, or experiencing the excitement of game day from inside the locker room, Josh made sure Grayson wasn’t simply watching from the sidelines. 

He was part of the team. 

Their friendship quickly grew beyond hockey. 

The two discovered a shared love of Harry Potter and movies, creating conversations and inside jokes that strengthened their bond. More importantly, Josh appreciated Grayson exactly as he was. 

“Josh has provided Grayson with true friendship, belonging, and confidence,” his family said. “Josh shares Grayson’s love of Harry Potter and movies and appreciates Grayson for who he is… something Grayson needs when he has difficulty with his peers.” 

That acceptance has made all the difference. Every time Grayson arrives at a Princeton game, he immediately looks for Josh. And every time, Josh is just as excited to see him. “Whenever we go to games, Grayson seeks Josh out, and Josh always seems just so excited to see Grayson too. It is heartwarming.” 

It’s a simple exchange, but one that says everything. Because friendship isn’t about making someone fit in. It’s about making sure they know they already belong. Through every practice, every skate, every conversation about Harry Potter, and every enthusiastic greeting at the rink, Josh has become far more than a teammate. He’s become the role model, mentor, and friend Grayson needed.

“Josh’s character is very impressive, and we couldn’t be happier for him to be a role model for Grayson,” his family shared. “We could go on and on about all the things that make Josh deserving of the Teammate of the Year Award because he truly is the most deserving and has made everything about Grayson’s experience with Princeton hockey exceed all of our expectations. Grayson and our family cannot wait to see how their friendship grows. Josh is the best teammate we could ask for Grayson!” 

At Team IMPACT, the strongest friendships aren’t measured by goals scored or games won. They’re measured by the confidence they inspire, the belonging they create, and the reminder that everyone deserves someone who is genuinely excited to see them. 

For Grayson, that someone is Josh.

The post Friendship Series: Exceeding All Expectations — Grayson and Josh, Princeton Hockey appeared first on Team IMPACT.

It’s about friendship. It’s about confidence. And it’s about finding a team that celebrates him exactly as he is. 

Matched with Connecticut College men’s basketball through Team IMPACT in 2024, Holden has found a second family alongside the team. Living with aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow failure disorder, Holden has spent much of his young life navigating challenges that no child should have to face. But on the basketball court, those challenges take a back seat to the friendships that have transformed his world. 

At the center of that transformation is his teammate, RJ. From the very beginning, RJ made it a priority to meet Holden where he was. Whether that meant shooting baskets together at practice, sitting beside him to explain what was happening during drills, or simply making sure Holden felt included, RJ’s patience and kindness helped create a friendship built on trust. 

“RJ has shown kindness and friendship throughout our journey,” Holden’s family shared. “He always meets Holden where he is and was the person who got Holden’s little sister involved and comfortable with the team.” 

RJ’s impact extended beyond Holden. Recognizing that Team IMPACT is about families as much as it is about children, RJ welcomed Holden’s little sister with the same warmth and enthusiasm, helping her feel like she belonged alongside the team. Before long, team dinners, events, and practices became experiences the entire family looked forward to together. 

Today, Holden and his sister are familiar faces around Connecticut College Men’s Basketball. They attend team dinners, cheer from the sidelines, and celebrate alongside the players, not as guests, but as members of the family. 

One of the most meaningful moments came when Holden was officially added to the team’s roster. For many children, seeing their name on a roster is a dream. For Holden, it was a powerful reminder that he belonged. 

“Holden was added to the official roster; the team and RJ continue to celebrate Holden for who he is, and it’s done wonders for Holden’s confidence.” 

That confidence has continued to grow in ways his family never expected.

Inspired by RJ’s encouragement, Holden challenged himself to complete a 5K alongside his teammates, his family shared. A moment that wasn’t about crossing the finish line first, but about believing he could do something difficult. 

“RJ has been like a big brother and has been Holden’s biggest fan,” his family said. “Holden was even empowered to do the 5K with his team to make RJ proud.” 

Sometimes the greatest teammates aren’t the ones who score the most points. 

They’re the ones who slow down, explaining the game. The ones who make sure siblings feel included. The ones who cheer the loudest from the sidelines and help someone believe in themselves just a little more than they did yesterday. 

RJ has done all of that and more for Holden. 

At Team IMPACT, friendship isn’t measured by statistics. It’s measured by confidence gained, families embraced, and the quiet moments that remind every child they are valued exactly as they are. 

For Holden, RJ hasn’t just been a teammate. He’s been a mentor, a role model, a biggest fan, and the kind of big brother every child deserves. 

The post Friendship Series: Friendship and Confidence, Exactly as You Are — Holden and RJ, Conn College Basketball appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Since he was five years old, Colin has faced leukemia. Years of treatment, hospital stays, setbacks, and uncertainty have become a part of his everyday life. When he was matched with the University of Virginia’s men’s tennis team in 2023, he gained both teammates and lifelong friends.

At the center of that was Stef.

Stef was going through his own set of challenges this past season as well, redshirting due to an injury. While it would have been understandable for him to take a step back and focus on his recovery, Colin’s parents noted that he instead leaned into the match and made a huge impact on Colin’s life.

What set Stef apart for Colin was his resilience. No matter how many times Colin was forced to change a plan due to treatment, hospital visits, and the unpredictability that comes with leukemia, Stef always was ready to adapt. Stef made sure to meet Colin and his family where they were, whether it was organizing activities for them, or coming to visit Colin at his home where he feels safest, Stef created opportunities rather than waited for them.

“Stef truly cares,” Colin’s family shared. “He coordinates meetups where the team practices as well as at our home. He makes sure to check in on Colin, and since Colin relapsed, he checks in separately with me to see how is doing medically and when he may need more support. He goes above and beyond when he is carrying a heavy course load too. We deeply appreciate him and how much he makes Colin feel normal.”

Sometimes, the greatest acts of friendship happen quietly.

They’re found in the messages asking how treatment went, the extra effort to plan a visit, or the commitment to simply keep showing up. Even when life is busy.

For Colin, those moments have made an impact that extends far beyond the tennis court. During a recent conversation, Colin shared that being a part of the team has made him feel less anxious about his treatment.

“This was not prompted by us,” his family shared. “But it is true, and we have seen it with this last relapse. He handled adversity better, medical errors, blood draws, readmissions, and everything a little better. It means a lot that he attributes this to the team, as his lower anxiety level has made the last six months a lot easier for all of us.”

Friendship can’t take away cancer, but it can lessen fear. It can replace isolation with a sense of belonging; it can create a bond that rivals one like a family. Colin walks into treatment knowing that he has a family that cares about him, and that family is at the University of Virginia.

At Team IMPACT, friendship isn’t measured by wins and losses. It’s measured by every text, every visit, every game played together, and every moment someone chooses to show up. The strongest teammates aren’t defined by the time they spend competing; they’re defined by the way they care for one another through life’s toughest moments.

For Colin, that victory extends far beyond the court.

The post Friendship Series: Resilience On and Off the Court — Colin and Stef, UVA Tennis appeared first on Team IMPACT.

At the 2026 Team IMPACT Fellowship Summit in Boston, we had the privilege of recognizing three campuses whose Fellows have gone above and beyond to build a culture of belonging, advocacy, and impact throughout the past year.

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 Campuses of the Year!

Division I Campus of the Year: Kent State University

Kent State University has exemplified what it means to embrace the Team IMPACT mission. Through the leadership of Fellows Davanee McNairy (women’s lacrosse), Dionna Gray (women’s basketball), and Lucy Keeler (field hockey), the campus has cultivated an environment where student-athletes from across multiple teams have rallied together to create meaningful experiences for Team IMPACT children and families.

This past academic year, the Fellows at Kent State, with tremendous support from their Athletic Department, organized a highly successful Team IMPACT Field Day, lead Fellow fundraising efforts across campus, strengthened existing matches, and fostered meaningful engagement across campus, truly embodying the mission of Team IMPACT.

Whether bringing awareness to Team IMPACT on campus, supporting matched teams, or inspiring fellow student-athletes to get involved, these Fellows have demonstrated that lasting change happens when a community comes together. Their passion, collaboration, and commitment have made Kent State a shining example of what is possible through the Fellowship Program.

Division II Campus of the Year: Concordia University Irvine

Concordia Irvine has continued to build a strong culture of service and inclusion, led by Fellow Mattie Prior from the volleyball team.

Mattie’s leadership has helped strengthen Team IMPACT’s presence on campus while encouraging teammates and fellow student-athletes to embrace the life-changing relationships that define our mission. Mattie spearheaded the sunset beach 5K in line with Team IMPACT’s All In 5K, rallied other student-athletes to raise critical funds for Team IMPACT, and created new opportunities for meaningful on-campus interactions for families and teams. Through intentional leadership and a genuine commitment to creating belonging, Concordia Irvine has become a model for how one passionate leader can inspire an entire athletic department.

Division III Campus of the Year: Swarthmore College

At Swarthmore College, Fellows Liesel Blau (women’s soccer) and JoeEyiolowope (men’s soccer) have worked together to foster a campus-wide commitment to inclusion and community.

Their collaborative leadership has brought together teams across the athletic department while elevating Team IMPACT’s mission in meaningful ways. Together, Leisel and Joe demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity by coordinating Team IMPACT Awareness Games, hosting a successful Design FC community event, organizing a Team IMPACT lunch during DIII Week, and ensuring all Team IMPACT matches were celebrated throughout the school year. By building connections, encouraging participation, and championing opportunities for student-athletes to serve others, Liesel and Joe have helped create a lasting culture of impact that extends well beyond the playing field.

These awards recognize outstanding campuses and celebrate the student-athletes who choose to lead with empathy, purpose, and action.

The Team IMPACT Fellowship Program empowers student-athletes to become advocates for inclusion while developing leadership skills that will serve them long after graduation. This year’s honorees embody those values in every sense, demonstrating how athletics can be a powerful force for connection and positive change.

As we celebrate together at the 2026 Fellowship Summit in Boston, we’re inspired by what these Fellows have accomplished and even more excited for what’s ahead.

Congratulations to Kent State University, Concordia University Irvine, and Swarthmore College on being named our 2026 Campuses of the Year, and thank you to Davanee, Dionna, Lucy, Mattie, Liesel, and Joe for leading the way.

The post Celebrating Our 2026 Fellowship Campuses of the Year appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Elias lives with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but this does not slow down his energetic and bubbly personality in the slightest. When he joined the team in 2024, he quickly became a beloved member. Whether he is attending practices or cheering from the sidelines at games, Elias found a community that welcomes him with open arms.

The most influential figure in his experience is his teammate, Raghav.

Over the past two years, Raghav has become much more than a teammate to Elias. The pair has grown a relationship both on and off the field, their friendship rooted in fun, consistency, and support. They may train together, but Raghav always makes time off the pitch as well.

Elias understands the importance of the small moments in a friendship just as much as the big moments.

“He is my friend and he makes me laugh,” he shared.

Sometimes, it is just that simple.

Whether they are coloring, playing card games, or just spending time together, Raghav’s presence has become an important part of Elias’ Team IMPACT experience.

“Raghav has been an amazing guy with Elias and his brothers,” Elias’ family shared. “Not only is he a great player but a great friend for the last two years.”

The friendship extends beyond Elias and the team. From the moment they matched, Southwestern Men’s Soccer extended their family to include not only Elias, but his brothers as well.

When the brothers arrive on the field, the whole team embraces them with open arms, often clapping and cheering upon their arrival. These small moments may seem insignificant, but they create an environment where the family feels celebrated, valued, and a true part of the team.

The connections between the family and team are especially apparent in Elias’ nomination video for Raghav, where the brothers joined in to create a drumroll before announcing his name. The video captures the joy and spirit of the pair’s friendship.

Raghav has shown that being a teammate is more than what happens within the ninety minutes of the game. It is about spending the time building relationships and creating an environment where every team member feels special, and like they belong.

For Elias, this made all the difference in the world.

Most importantly, Raghav has given Elias something that every child deserves: a friend who makes him laugh, includes him, and reminds him that he belongs.

And for Elias and his family, this impact will extend long after the final whistle blows.

The post Friendship Series: “He’s my friend and he makes me laugh.” — Elias and Raghav, Southwestern University Soccer appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Nine-year-old Avery, who lives with a neurological disorder, was matched with BU women’s hockey in 2024. Since then, the Lady Terriers have shared many unforgettable memories with Avery. One teammate in particular, Sydney, grew a special bond with Avery.

“Avery’s life has really changed with the confidence she sees with not only Sydney but the entire Boston University ice hockey team,” Avery’s family shared. “The confidence that these young ladies have and the kindness that Sydney shows Avery is amazing.”

Sydney exudes kindness in both the big moments, and the small ones.

After exciting games, Avery loves to head into the locker room and take her place beside Sydney while listening to the coaches’ postgame speeches. She joins in to the locker room dance parties and celebrates alongside the team as if she has always been on the roster. Sydney extends their bond beyond the season as well.

When she stayed behind on campus last summer, she made sure to stay connected with Avery, inviting her out to a special ice cream date.

Their connection has been fostered through shared traditions and meaningful moments. The pair made special friendship bracelets, creating a physical reminder of the special bond they have built throughout their time together. Avery has also had the opportunity to attend some of the team’s biggest events, including the media day, and sitting rink side during the Beanpot tournament warm-ups at TD Garden.

These experiences may create lasting memories, but it is Sydney’s friendship that has left the biggest impact on Avery.

“I nominate my teammate Sydney for Teammate of the Year because she was super-duper nice to me, and always there for me when I needed her most,” Avery said. “Thank you so much Sydney for giving me an awesome year, you added so much more to my life, and I am very thankful to have you as a friend.”

Avery’s words remind us of what Team IMPACT is all about.

Friendship is not about grand gestures. It exists in the little moments, shared laughter, friendship bracelets, ice cream dates, and dance parties. It stems from inclusion.

Together, they have created a kind of friendship that extends far beyond the rink. One built on trust, joy, and the belief that everyone deserves a place where they belong.

For Avery, that place is the locker right next to Sydney’s.

The post Friendship Series: Confidence and Kindness — Avery and Sydney, BU Hockey appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Logan lives with a neurological disorder called epilepsy, and his journey has been marked by challenges that most children never have to face. In 2020, Logan’s family noticed changes in his behavior that made him “check out” for brief periods of time. After seeking medical help, Logan was diagnosed with epilepsy shortly before his fourth birthday. 

At six years old, Logan underwent brain surgery, and today, he is three and a half years post-operation and seizure-free. But even after recovering from surgery, his family noticed he carried the weight of his medical history. 

That was until he met William. From the moment the two met, Will made an impact on Logan.

“From our very first day with the Syracuse men’s basketball team in October, Will changed something for our family,” Logan’s mom, Danielle, shared.

Will saw more than Logan’s medical history, seeing him as a teammate and friend.  

Whether it is at practice or time spent around the team, Will consistently ensures Logan is included. If he sees Logan sitting out at practice, he will always be the first to bring him back into action. Will and Logan practice shooting technique after the rest of the team has gone home and takes the time to create moments that mean more than basketball. These little moments make a difference in building Logan’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.  

“From day one, Will didn’t treat Logan like he was fragile,” his family shared. “He didn’t look at him with sympathy or hesitation. He didn’t define him by his diagnosis, his scar, or his history. He saw him. He saw a teammate. He saw strength. He saw potential.”  

Will’s impact is shown through small, meaningful actions. His encouragement, steady presence, and genuine friendship make the difference in Logan’s sense of belonging to the team.  

“There are moments as a parent when you hold your breath – wondering if your child will be treated differently, if their past will follow them into every room,” they said. “With Will, we don’t hold our breath. We watch our son smile. We watch him compete. We watch him believe he belongs.” 

Through Team IMPACT, children like Logan are empowered to see themselves not through the lens of their diagnosis, but through the strength, joy, and potential that have always been there. Logan and Will are more than just teammates. Will is a friend, mentor, and someone who reminds him every day that he belongs.  

The post Friendship Series: “He saw him. He saw a teammate.” — Logan and Will, Syracuse Basketball  appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Jay’s story with Team IMPACT begins far before the organization’s first match. Jay grew up in Bristol, CT, where he played youth baseball and football and participated in many community clubs and activities. “Through these activities, I was able to learn incredible life lessons around teamwork, work ethic, discipline, leadership skills, fellowship skills, and more,” he said. “Most importantly I learned to show up and be accountable—all brought to me by my community.”

In Bristol, Jay learned the importance of community, especially through team. But he also saw what it looks like when someone is excluded from that. At the same time Jay was playing on teams of his own, he watched his younger brother, Chris, who lived with a medical condition, stuck on the sidelines. “We were very close, and he absolutely loved sports,” Jay said, “he just couldn’t play.”

A turning point came through an unexpected opportunity with the Bristol Red Sox, who offered Chris a spot as bat boy for the team. Now on a team of his own, Chris was able to experience the community of sport in a whole new way—and that did not go unnoticed by Jay and his family. “I saw my brother experience many of the same life lessons that I was given through sports in my community. He felt included as a member of the team, and he had a sense of purpose,” Jay shared.

When Chris unexpectedly passed away in his early twenties, it caused Jay to reflect on the importance of community support and ignited in him a new way to keep his brother’s legacy alive while also providing that same community to others. “I realized these random acts could be formalized through our networks,” Jay said. “We could create something more proactive, providing outreach to actually search out and find kids that would benefit from this experience.”

And so Jay gathered together some of his friends—Dan Kraft, Dan Walsh, Kris Herman, Tim Kelly, Robert Tishman, Mark Plansky, and Scott Tully—to bring this dream to life.

“The concept of team is when like-minded people come together to achieve a common goal,” Jay shared. That original team who founded Team IMPACT in 2011 has grown over 15 years into a community who understands, unites, and rallies around the concept of being there and showing up for one another.

From its earliest match—Benjamin and the St. Anselm hockey team—to today, with more than 4,500 children matched, Jay has been part of a movement that has scaled far beyond New England.

Fifteen years later, Jay often reflects not just on the number of matches but on the scale of human connection created along the way. “What I am most proud of after 15 years of growing Team IMPACT is the number of people we have connected to the organization,” he said. Not only are the 4,500+ matched children affected by this program, but so are the parents who gain support outside the medical system; the siblings who get to spend quality time together at sporting events and on fields instead of inside hospital walls or at appointments; the student-athletes who gain perspective, gratitude, leadership, and friendship (one of whom is Jay’s son, Jake, who was matched with his Team IMPACT teammate, Kyle, at Johns Hopkins lacrosse!); the medical professionals who witness the power of this program through their own patients; the supporters who see every day how inclusion, belonging, and acceptance make the world a better place.

And that feeling ripples out far beyond Team IMPACT—into the medical communities who refer their patients to Team IMPACT, the campus communities who welcome these children and families onto their rosters, the student-athletes who are the future leaders, and the generations who will learn to lead with empathy, compassion, and belonging.

What began as a handful of matches in New England has grown into a network of hundreds of thousands of people touched in some way by a single idea: no child should face illness or disability alone.

From Bristol fields to college stadiums across the country, Jay Calnan’s influence on Team IMPACT has always come back to the same idea: communities change lives when people show up for each other. As Jay reflects on the past 15 years of IMPACT, he sees it not as a closing chapter but as an ongoing commitment. “Team IMPACT has been a passion for over 15 years, and I’m grateful for the people that I have connected with through the organization,” he said. “I have met many amazing families and children who inspire me every day.”

As for the future? Jay’s vision is simple. “If there is any college athletic team anywhere in the United States, they should have a Team IMPACT child on their team.”

The post 15 Years of IMPACT: Jay Calnan, Team IMPACT Founding Board Member and CEO, Jay Calnan & Associates  appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Living with cerebral palsy and additional diagnoses, Jake has faced challenges throughout his life with strength and positivity. From the moment he stepped onto Arnold Field to meet the team, his connection with defender Jacob LaRue stood out immediately among the group. Jake and Jacob share more than the same first name. They share an unbreakable bond. “Whatever the reason,” Jake’s mom, Kari said, “the bond they share is one that reminds us how powerful simple acts of compassion can be, and how a single player’s heart can make a lifelong impact. 

“He’s kind, helpful, and nice,” Jake said simply when asked about LaRue.  

For Jacob, Jake is more than an honorary teammate. He became a source of encouragement and unwavering support during one of the most difficult seasons of his life. Early in the 2024 season, Jacob was sidelined by a serious head injury that would require a long recovery. Like many athletes in that situation, Jacob struggled with the uncertainty that comes from sitting on the sidelines.  

That is when Jake stepped in.  

Jake sat alongside his friend on the sidelines, week after week, providing high-fives and good energy. Jake reminded Jacob that healing takes time, and together they celebrated every step forward. Jake’s positivity never wavered. “Jake’s belief in Jacob made it so Jacob could keep sight of what truly matters,” Kari said. 

And it wasn’t only Jake’s family who noticed this but also Jacob’s. Kari said Jacob’s family told her that they are not sure Jacob would have handled and worked back from his injury the way he did without Jake. “Jake’s friendship carried Jacob when he needed it the most,” she said. “The LaRue family said that Jake being a part of the LVCMLAX team has been a blessing for their son and their entire family.” 

But for Kari, what truly sets Jacob apart is how he finds inspiration in the successes of others and uses that as further inspiration to share with others. “From the beginning, he treated Jake not as a symbol or a story, but as a brother on the field, in the locker room and a valued part of the team,” Kari said. “He goes out of his way to include him in practices and the weight room, he celebrates his moments and makes sure to check in on him after practices to make sure he feels seen, supported, and respected.” 

And though Jake and Jacob’s friendship is undoubtedly special, it’s not only Jake who Jacob treats like this. Kari said Jacob is a friend to everyone and a leader on the team. “Jacob leads through action rather than volume,” she said. “He treats every teammate with respect. The bond he has with Jake has become a reflection of the type of culture he helps to create: kindness, unity, and genuine care for others. The coaches trust him; his peers and team rely on him and new players to the team quickly feel welcome because of the example he sets. He celebrates others’ successes just as loudly as his own and steps in whenever someone needs support.” 

This mindset encompasses the friendship between Jake and Jacob. Together, they have changed each other’s lives, Jake helped Jacob find strength in his recovery, and Jacob made a space where Jake could be unapologetically himself.  

“Jake is more than a sideline teammate to Jacob,” his family shared. “Jake is his brother, and their bond will last a lifetime. Jacob represents everything the award stands for: heart, resilience, leadership and impact that goes far beyond the game.” 

“Because every voice and story deserves a place to shine,” Kari said. “Inclusion is powerful, and every child deserves the chance to say ‘I can.’” 

And with every interaction, Jacob helps fuel that in Jake. 

The post Friendship Series: Celebrating His Successes and Others — Jake and Jacob, Lebanon Valley Lacrosse  appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Kemuel was diagnosed with cancer at just three years old and faced a recurrence at age five, but after treatment, he is now cancer-free. Through Team IMPACT, Kemuel, who also goes by Kk, was matched with the Claremont Mckenna men’s tennis team, where he met his now good friend, Advik.  

Whether they are practicing serves, stacking tennis balls, or cheering on other teammates, the two can always be found together. Kemuel enjoys learning from Advik, who takes time after practices and games to teach him about tennis, and practice Kemuel’s serve.  

“He finishes his practice really fast so he can come play with me. He is very kind to me,” Kemuel said when asked why he wanted to nominate Advik for 2026 Teammate of the Year. 

Kemuel’s family maintains that Advik’s impact goes far beyond the tennis court. 

“We nominate Advik for best teammate not only for his talent on the court, but for the incredible heart he shows toward Kk,” they said. “Right after finishing his own training, he always rushes to play with Kk—hitting balls, practicing serves, whatever Kk wants. He patiently answers every single one of Kk’s endless questions, never getting tired or brushing him off.” Even after Advil is finished playing, he takes Kk’s hand, cheers for all their teammates, and continually shows Kk what it means to be a good supporter. This has not only made Kk feel welcome on the team but also as part of the family. 

“Advik is a strong player, but more than that, he’s become KK’s kind, dependable big brother on this team,” Kk’s family said. “That kind of selflessness and care makes him truly special.” 

Their friendship is a reminder of what Team IMPACT promotes, that the strongest bonds are not measured in wins and losses, but rather by the kindness, encouragement, and joy shared along the way.  

The post Friendship Series: Teammate, Mentor and Big Brother — Kemuel and Advik, CMU Tennis  appeared first on Team IMPACT.