MEDFORD, Mass. – Tufts men's basketball head coach Brandon Linton announced a new team member, signing 12-year-old Andrew Storey through Team IMPACT.
Andrew, who has End Stage Renal Disease, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Wednesday, November 16 on campus. He will participate in many activities with the team including games, practices, and other team events.
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.
"Team IMPACT is thrilled to see Andrew officially join the Jumbos," said Ryan Irwin, Executive Director, Northeast for Team IMPACT. "Tufts University has been and continues to be one of the most engaged and dedicated institutions across the country and is a prime example of what being a partner looks like. We at Team IMPACT are truly proud to work alongside their campus leadership, athletic department and coaching staff to create life-changing experiences and lifelong bonds between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates. Go Jumbos!"
Team IMPACT was co-founded by six Tufts alumni in 2011 – Jay Calnan, Dan Kraft, Robert Tishman, Dan Walsh, and Kris Herman – along with friends Mark Plansky, Scott Tully, and Tim Kelly. Their years of personal experience on and off the field gave them opportunities to witness the impact a college athletic team can have on the mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of children with serious illnesses and disabilities.
From the beginning, Tufts University has worked with Team IMPACT matching 24 children across its baseball, football, men's and women's basketball, co-ed sailing, men's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, co-ed swimming, softball, women's volleyball, golf, and field hockey teams.
"Last year, unfortunately, we did not have a teammate from Team Impact, so when we heard Andy was going to be joining our team, we were all very excited. I remember the first day I got to meet Andy in the lobby of the athletic center, I knew instantly he were a special person," said men's basketball senior Jay Dieterle.
"Andy embodies what we care about and our core values of this program," said Linton. "We are thrilled to have Andy sign his letter of intent to Tufts University and are excited to have him be part of our team."
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 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit
www.teamimpact.org.
