River Hawks Strive to Make an IMPACT

LOWELL, Mass. - Sarah Lowe, an 11-year-old from Dracut, has not had it easy. At age two, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurological seizure disorder. Not only are these seizures chronic, but they have also caused cognitive disabilities. Each day is a constant battle as the seizures affect her everyday life, but her strength and resiliency have pushed her through.

The disorder has deprived Sarah of some of the opportunities other kids have growing up, such as being involved with sports from an early age. Being a part of a team is an extremely valuable experience, especially when growing up; the time when most people believe you need to learn the benefits of working together and the values of teamwork.

That all changed when she was drafted by the UMass Lowell women's soccer team through Team IMPACT in 2013. Team IMPACT is a nonprofit organization that pairs children that have been diagnosed with life threatening and chronic illnesses with collegiate athletic teams. Their main goal is to improve the quality of life for these children.

"She never had the opportunity to do a sport because of her disability. It did a world of good for her," said Sarah's mother, Donna Kelliher.

As a part of Team IMPACT, each child gets "drafted" by a local college team to become an honorary member. They can be on the sidelines for games and practices, attend photo or media days and spend a lot of quality time with their teammates. Sometimes the team members even visit the child at school or attend birthday parties.

"There's been a few times when he wanted to run out on the floor and play," said Bonnie Fortes, the mother of third year men's basketball draftee Nathaniel Fortes, a child diagnosed with Kawasaki's disease, which enlarges the arteries of the heart, as well as anemia and autism.

The student-athletes are serving as role models, whether they know it or not. The kids want to do everything they see these young adults do. This holds true for numerous universities across the country and also all of the other Team IMPACT matches at UMass Lowell.

The university has drafted an amazing group of children across the majority of UMass Lowell's Division I athletic teams. In addition to Sarah and Nathaniel, Amayah Brown is matched with the volleyball team, Liam Connor is part of the baseball team, Emma Capo is on the softball team, Isaiah Cruz is with the men's lacrosse team and Sophia Eason is with the women's lacrosse team. Several other teams at UMass Lowell have graduated matches and/or are on the waiting list to draft a new teammate.

With this group of matches, UMass Lowell holds a number of events each year for Team IMPACT. A fundraising event called "Bowling for IMPACT" is held every year, along with Team IMPACT games that recognize the matches with special pre-game ceremonies.

Spending time off the field together is something both the student-athletes and the Team IMPACT matches get extremely excited for, including Sarah Lowe. Her mom throws a team party for women's soccer at her house every year. It has become a tradition where the student-athletes can go to Sarah's home and have a fun night full of home cooked food and a Yankee swap.

Sarah's mother thinks the program and the members of the team really helped improve Sarah's self-esteem. They even attended one of Sarah's cross country meets to cheer her on and support her from the starting line.

"The more they tried to pull her out and get her involved, she would get a little more outgoing," said Kelliher. "They really go out of their way, not just with the soccer, but to get involved in her everyday life."

The student-athletes inspire and teach the children valuable lessons, but it doesn't just go one way. The children in the Team IMPACT program have a tremendous effect on these student-athletes, as well.

"It is kind of a win-win situation because Sarah has benefited so much, as well as myself," said Kelliher. "But I feel like the young women take away a lot from it, too, because it changes the perspective for some of them and their outlook."

The kids' attitudes rub off on the student-athletes the more they connect and interact with each other.

"Everyone expects that the young person is the one that gets something out of this. I would argue that the student gets more out of it than the children," said Alison Quandt Westgate, the Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Student Services at UMass Lowell.

Their continuous positivity and cheerfulness through adversity influences the athletes' mindset on and off the field or court.

"Having them on the sideline, whether we are winning or losing, when you look over and you see them cheering you on, it makes you think you are out there doing it for them." said Emily Bellino, UMass Lowell's Team IMPACT On Campus Fellow and a member of the women's lacrosse. "They can't be out there playing, so you are playing for them. It gives you that extra motivation to step up your game."

The student-athletes and the children form unbreakable, lifetime bonds. They teach each other and are always there when things get tough. They are teammates, yes, but they are also a lot more. It is a friendship—a unique bond that not many people can relate to. Both sides benefit from each other's company and the outcome is amazing.

"He's so happy. My son is so happy when he gets to see the guys," said Bonnie Fortes. "They have their own type of bond."

Sports go beyond the game. They transcend the whistles, goals and scoreboards. The love, the passion, the teamwork and the never-quit attitude are some of the core values that the Team IMPACT program stands on.

The relationship between UMass Lowell and Team IMPACT has been great for the organization, student-athletes and children.

"The relationship is special," said Regional Director for Team Impact, Elizabeth Higgins. "UMass Lowell has always been welcoming to us."

Sarah Lowe will be graduating from the Team IMPACT program on October 21 at the women's soccer team's senior day home game at 4 p.m. She will be recognized for her four years of influence and dedication to the women's soccer team.

She and all of the Team IMPACT matches personify persistence, positivity and determination. These kids will continue to inspire many through this amazingly uplifting program.

"It relaxes them. Maybe if they miss a free throw, they know it's not the end of the world," said Quandt Westgate. "They know at the end of the day, if they lose the game, the kids are just happy to have a friend."

Players Mentioned

Amayah Brown

Liam Connor

Sophia Eason

Nathaniel Fortes

Sarah Lowe

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