{"id":3607,"date":"2023-07-19T16:56:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T20:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/?p=3607"},"modified":"2023-07-25T16:52:44","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T20:52:44","slug":"wallace-family-shares-team-impact-experience-at-dii-saac-super-regional-convention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/wallace-family-shares-team-impact-experience-at-dii-saac-super-regional-convention\/","title":{"rendered":"Wallace Family Shares Team IMPACT Experience at DII SAAC Super Region Convention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Team IMPACT and Division II have been partners since 2016, working together to make a positive impact on the lives of children facing serious illness and disability through the power of team. A portion of this year’s NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Super Region Convention focused on Team IMPACT and Division II\u2019s powerful partnership and the incredible stories and lifelong memories that have come from it. The friendship between the Wallace family and East Stroudsburg University (ESU) softball is one of those stories\u2014and the Wallaces joined the student-athletes at the convention to share their heartwarming experience with the Warriors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During the SAAC Super Region Convention, which took place from April 14-16, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA, student-athletes gained invaluable leadership skills, honed their personal and professional development goals, and learned to use their student-athlete voice to enact positive change and growth on their campuses. They also familiarized themselves with Division II’s Make It Yours brand and the Division II student-athlete initiatives, one of which is Team IMPACT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The convention provided a platform for the Wallace family to share their heartwarming story. The Wallace\u2019s nine-year-old twin daughters, Lillian and Julia, were matched with the ESU Softball team through Team IMPACT in January of this year. Lillian was born with multiple heart conditions and, together with her sister, has found support and friendship in the Warriors. This match allowed the Wallace family to become official members of the ESU softball program, forming strong bonds with the student-athletes, coaches, and staff. One athlete in particular, redshirt freshman Jada Smallwood, formed a uniquely close friendship with Lillian and Julia, prompting them to nominate her as their 2023 Team IMPACT Teammate of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n