By many measures the 2016-17 Men’s and Women’s Basketball season was a big success for the East Coast Conference (ECC). Following an exciting conference tournament hosted by the University of Bridgeport, for the first time in conference history, the ECC placed both a men’s and women’s team in the NCAA Division II Elite 8: Queens College women and the St. Thomas Aquinas men each won their respective East Region as part of the Division II National Championship Tournaments.
But the success did not just occur on the court. The ECC, like many other conferences from each NCAA division, has been partnering with the organization Team IMPACT for several years. The mission of Team IMPACT is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team by “drafting” these kids to local college athletic teams. Since 2012, four ECC schools have built relationships with seven different young men and women, helping to make a difference in the lives of the youngsters as well as the college athletes.
This year ECC member New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Women’s basketball team drafted Giovanna Veteri to their team. “Gigi” was diagnosed with epilepsy at age four and her family works hard to manage the disorder and the seizures that come with it. Now 14, Gigi has been able to come to practices, games and other team functions. As Head Coach Ken Parham noted, “This very exceptional young lady is a very important part of our team.”
“NYIT and Team IMPACT have provided our daughter Gigi with a phenomenal experience,” said Gigi’s father, Mike Veteri. “She is a huge basketball fan, but Epilepsy has restricted her participation in team sports. This opportunity has fulfilled her desire to be member of a team. She has developed close relationships with a great group of female athletes. The entire season has been a rewarding experience for all. She’s learned strengthening techniques and worked on her basketball skills, too.”
To add to that, Gigi travelled with her team for this year’s ECC tournament at the University of Bridgeport. “What was more amazing was when the ECC Commissioner graciously invited her on stage as proof of the positive efforts of Team IMPACT,” says Mike. “Gigi is a courageous kid with a strong desire to be like everyone else and not let her illness define her. NYIT Women’s Basketball, Team IMPACT, the ECC and all of the teams must be applauded for giving her the opportunity to fulfill her desire.”
In front of all eight participating teams, Commissioner Bob Dranoff and Team IMPACT’s New England Chapter Director, Mary Welker, discussed Team IMPACT’s mission and invited member schools to become more involved. In addition, Dranoff announced that the conference would donate a portion of ticket sales from all conference basketball championship games, as well as from donations gathered by schools in the last week of the season to Team IMPACT.
“The ECC is very proud to be making a donation in the amount of $2,350 to Team IMPACT in the name of all our member institutions,” says ECC Commissioner, Bob Dranoff. “Like all other leagues, we are committed to excellence in academics and athletics, but all of our schools understand the importance of service as well. We are excited about doing more for this organization that we believe in, and we look forward to more of our teams drafting Team IMPACT children and hope that other conferences will join us in raising funds to increase the reach of this amazing organization.”
“Team IMPACT is honored to have the tremendous support of the ECC,” says Executive Director Seth Rosenzweig. “The ECC has been championing Team IMPACT for nearly five years, and with their support, I’m thrilled to think of where we can be in another five years. The ECC’s generous gift and powerful endorsements will help us reach more children, families and teams—and help change lives across the country.”
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Boston whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams and are a part of the team from Draft Day to Graduation. The child joins the athletic team and the student athletes join the child’s support team. The child gains great strength, camaraderie and support and the student athletes are taught lessons about courage, resiliency and life perspective that they can’t learn in a classroom. If you know a child or team that may be interested, please visit www.goteamimpact.org for more information.
