Boston – Boston University Women's Soccer Head Coach casey brown announced new team members, signing 8-year-old Brigid Barden and 10-year-old Lori Barden through Team IMPACT. Thank you to South Shore BMW for sponsoring this signing day.
Brigid was born with a congenital viral disease called CMV (cytomegalovirus). She and her sister were formally introduced at a signing day press conference on the Boston University campus on Wednesday (April 17). They participate in many activities with the team, including games, practices, and other team events.
Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit organization, has developed a unique multi-year program that matches children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children that focuses on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
“Team Impact is excited to have Brigid and Lori join the Terriers,” said Emma Simchez, Team Impact Northeast Regional Program Director. “We are proud to partner with Boston University, its athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates. .”
For the past 12 years, Boston University has worked with Team IMPACT to match 14 children across women's and men's soccer, women's and men's basketball, women's and men's hockey, women's and men's lacrosse, and men's swim teams.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Brigid and Lori to the BU women’s soccer team,” Brown said. “This is a program built on the pillars of family, so being able to officially welcome our girls here as Terriers is a day of celebration for us! Brigid and Lori have truly made us all who we are. Their presence and personalities energize us and have a positive impact on the entire team on and off the field.
“It is our absolute honor to have Brigid and Lori officially sign with BU Women's Soccer. We look forward to all the future of Brigid and Lori as Terriers and the many memories they will share forever. I’m looking forward to it.”
About team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illnesses and disabilities to college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between the team and children with a focus on sociability, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring the individualized game plan everyone involved needs to win. can effectively build confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 of her children with over 700 colleges in all 50 states and impacted over 75,000 student-athletes. If you know of a child or team who might be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.