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Members of the Curry College baseball team joined head coach Paul Bortolotti as he announced a new team member, signing 10-year-old Colin Case through Team IMPACT.
Colin, who was born with a kidney condition, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Thursday, October 20th inside the Curry College Student Center. He will participate in many activities with the team including games, practices, and other team events.
View the Signing Day Photo Gallery
“Colin has been a true inspiration since he joined us last spring. His enthusiasm and passion for the game of baseball are real and refreshing, and his coaches and fellow teammates welcome the abundance of energy he brings to the field,” said Bortolotti. “There has been a very special bond formed with Colin in a short period of time, and we look forward to his participation in our upcoming season.”
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.
“As student-athletes, we often think of baseball as a job and how important that job is. But seeing Colin’s life around baseball really reminds us that it’s a game,” said junior pitcher Ryan Kirkpatrick. “With Colin on the field, we get to stay youthful, play with passion, and work hard while he cracks jokes and runs around the field. We’re looking forward to having him by our side this season.”
“Team IMPACT is excited to see Colin officially join the Colonels,” said Danielle Hardee, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. “We are proud to work alongside Curry College, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates.”
Curry College has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 10 years, matching 16 children across its baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, football, men’s ice hockey, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and volleyball teams.
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.