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LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team officially welcomed a new member to the squad, drafting 11-year-old Arianna Figueroa (Lincoln, Mass.) as the newest River Hawk through Team IMPACT on Wednesday afternoon at Costello Athletic Center.
 
Figueroa, who has courageously battled sickle cell disease, was matched with the River Hawks through Team IMPACT, a Boston-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team by matching them with college athletic teams.

Wednesday's draft day festivities included a press conference where, surrounded by members of the women's basketball team, Arianna signed her National Letter of Intent to officially become part of the team herself. Arianna will wear the No. 12 jersey and attend practices, games, team dinners, events and more.
 
"We're excited to introduce Ari as a new member of our roster," exclaimed head coach Tom Garrick. "When building a program, you really want to go for people who can help you skill wise, but bigger than that were we're trying build a program through character and integrity. Arianna is an absolute gem that checks all of those boxes."
 
Figueroa has already gotten to be a part of the basketball team, spending time with the squad's three Team IMPACT leaders, senior Felicia Korte (Watertown, Mass.), junior Linda Svenne (Riga, Latvia), and sophomore Kharis Idom (Orlando, Fla).
 
"She has been such an inspiration to our team," stated Korte. "It's a constant reminder of how each day is important, she's brought a sense of motivation to every practice, game and team outing. We couldn't have been matched with anyone better."
 
Figueroa is looking forward to attending many games and building a lasting relationship with the program for years to come.
 
"Thank you to everyone who welcomed Ari with open arms," commented Danielle, Ari's mother. "Right away she felt like she was a part of the team, she claims the team as her own and is definitely UMass Lowell at heart. It's been amazing to see the sisterhood and the mentorship that has come so naturally."
 
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 2,000 children with more than 700 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 55,000 participating student athletes.
 
Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
 
For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.