Living with a heart condition, Boston has faced challenges that many children his age never have to think about. But since being matched with the California State University, San Bernardino Baseball team through Team IMPACT in 2024, he’s found something every child deserves, a place where he feels welcomed, celebrated, and included.

One teammate, Conner, helped make that feeling possible every step of the way. He has made it his mission to ensure Boston knows he isn’t just on the roster, but he is a key member of the team.

Whether it’s before the first pitch, during the game, or after the final out, Conner goes out of his way to make Boston feel special. Through simple acts of kindness and genuine friendship, he’s created moments that remind Boston he belongs alongside his teammates.

“Our teammate should win because they always make Boston feel special on the baseball field,” Boston’s family shared. “They have made my son feel like a part of the team!”

Sometimes, the biggest impact doesn’t come from grand gestures.

It’s found in the high fives after practice. The conversations in the dugout. The smiles shared between the innings. The intentional moments when someone takes the time to make another person feel seen.

That’s exactly what Conner has done for Boston, by welcoming him as a teammate rather than a visitor, Conner has helped create an environment where Boston can simply enjoy being a kid, laughing with friends, celebrating the team’s successes, and making memories that will last long after the season ends.

At Team IMPACT, that’s what friendship is all about.

It’s choosing to include someone without hesitation. It’s making room for another teammate in every huddle, every celebration, and every shared experience. It’s showing up consistently so that someone else knows they matter.

For Boston, Cal State San Bernardino Baseball has become more than just a team to cheer for.

It’s become another family.

And thanks to friends like Conner, every trip to the ballpark is a reminder that the best teams aren’t just built on talent but that they’re built on kindness, inclusion, and the friendships that make everyone feel like they belong.

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“We’re excited to deepen our partnership with Columbia Athletics,” said Krissie Kelleher, Team IMPACT CEO. “The Columbia community has already shown a strong commitment to our mission, and together we can create more opportunities for children and student-athletes to experience the power of belonging and team.” 

Columbia University Athletics has historically welcomed more than 15 children through Team IMPACT matches, integrating them into varsity teams where they gain a sense of belonging, confidence, and support. Through this expanded partnership, the organizations will build on that momentum by increasing the number of matches and deepening engagement across campus in the years ahead. Together, our goal is to match at least 80% of Columbia University’s varsity sports teams with children through Team IMPACT.  

“This partnership reflects the values at the heart of Columbia Athletics,” said Peter Pilling, Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education. “We are proud of the relationships we’ve built through Team IMPACT and look forward to expanding our involvement and welcoming even more children into our teams.” 

Columbia University Athletics will formally celebrate the partnership during a Team IMPACT Awareness Day when the Columbia softball team hosts Harvard on Saturday, May 2, at 12:30 p.m. The event will bring together student-athletes, matched children, and their families to celebrate the relationships formed through the program and to raise awareness for its continued growth.  

Team IMPACT matches children with college athletic teams, where they become official team members—attending practices and games, building relationships, and gaining a support system that extends beyond the playing field. The experience also shapes student-athletes, strengthening empathy, leadership, and perspective. 

As Team IMPACT and Columbia University Athletics look ahead, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience while making a lasting difference for children and their families. 

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 more than 4,000 children with 800+ colleges and universities in 50 states, impacting more than 95,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.    

The post Columbia University Athletics Deepens Commitment to Team IMPACT, Expanding Opportunities for Children Facing Serious Illness and Disability in New York  appeared first on Team IMPACT.

Boston, MA – March 9, 2026 – Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams, today announced a new partnership with the Lacrosse Masters Elite 80 Showcase, one of the country’s premier recruiting events for high school athletes.

Through the partnership, The Elite 80 Showcase will contribute $20,000 to advance Team IMPACT’s mission of connecting children with collegiate athletes nationwide. Team IMPACT will also be on-site at the June 11 Elite 80 Showcase, engaging players, families, and coaches to share how its multiyear program fosters belonging, resilience, and leadership both on and off the field.

To date, Team IMPACT has matched over 300 children with college lacrosse programs across the country, fostering meaningful, long-term relationships that build confidence, connection, and a lasting sense of belonging. Lacrosse has emerged as one of the organization’s fastest-growing sports, with programs at every division level embracing the mission and demonstrating the powerful role the sport can play beyond competition.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Elite 80 Showcase and bring Team IMPACT’s mission to one of the premier lacrosse recruiting events in the country,” said Krissie Kelleher, CEO of Team IMPACT. “Lacrosse has been an incredible community of support for the children we serve. By connecting with high school athletes at The Elite 80 Showcase event, we have an opportunity to inspire the next generation of collegiate players to champion inclusion, leadership, and service throughout their careers.”

“At Lacrosse Masters, we believe the game should be about more than just competition—it should be about impact. Our partnership with Team IMPACT allows our athletes, coaches, and families to be part of something bigger than lacrosse. By connecting our events with a mission that supports children facing serious illness and disability, we’re proud to help use the platform of our sport to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Graham Leveston, Founder of Lacrosse Masters.

The partnership is designed to deepen awareness of Team IMPACT across the broader lacrosse community. By engaging high school athletes before they reach the collegiate level, Team IMPACT and The Elite 80 Showcase aim to cultivate early understanding of the program’s mission, ensuring the next generation of college players arrives on campus ready to champion inclusion, leadership, and service from day one.

The Elite 80 Showcase’s commitment reflects a shared belief in the power of sport to create meaningful impact beyond competition. Through financial support and event activation, the partnership will help amplify Team IMPACT’s work and strengthen its presence within the lacrosse landscape nationwide.

For more information about Team IMPACT and how to get involved, visit www.goteamimpact.org.

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 more than 4,200 children with 800+ colleges and universities in 50 states, impacting more than 105,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org

ABOUT The Elite 80 Showcase

The Elite 80 Showcase presented by Lacrosse Masters is a lacrosse showcase for top high school boy’s lacrosse recruits pursuing collegiate play. Recommendations for attendees are sourced from a group of top Division I Head Coaches. Each team of players will compete in two 50-minute games, & All Stars will be selected by the college coaches.  Last year, 84% of all attendees were recruited to play at an NCAAA Division I school. For more information about Lacrosse Masters, please go to www.CollegePropertiesGroup.com

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