SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University athletics department is "teaming up" with Team IMPACT, making an impact in the community and helping make a difference in both the program participants and the student-athletes who get to meet them.
Broncos Athletics has been working alongside Team IMPACT since 2020, and this year the partnership has grown to involve six different Santa Clara men's and women's programs. The men's and women's basketball teams, men's rowing, men's soccer, men's tennis and men's water polo programs have all been working with Team IMPACT in 2022-23. And the department continues to work towards expanding its current and active matches on campus.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT matches children facing life-altering illnesses and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved. Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program matches children with college athletic teams across the country. The organization's mission is to guide children and teams alike in a mutually beneficial relationship of belonging, empowerment, and resilience.
Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with over 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.
THE BRONCOS AND TEAM IMPACT
To help facilitate Santa Clara's partnership with Team IMPACT, the Broncos have tabbed two student-athletes as "fellows" – Danja Stafford from women's basketball and Tyrone Kirunda from the men's soccer team. The student ambassadors help manage the details of Santa Clara's connection with Team IMPACT on campus.
"I have learned so much about myself and it has been such a wonderful experience working with Team IMPACT," said Stafford. "Team IMPACT's mission statement is, 'We provide outcomes that change lives.' This mission statement is one of the main reasons I was drawn to become a fellow. I've seen how Team IMPACT has been able to change so many lives, including my own, and many other student-athlete's here on campus. I'm so glad that Santa Clara and Team IMPACT have paired up to give student-athletes here the opportunity to serve and build their community, which in turn changes our own lives."
Lauren Redman, Assistant Athletics Director for Academics and Student Development, has served as an administration leader and contact between Santa Clara athletics and Team IMPACT, working closely with Stafford and Kirunda.
"It's been so amazing to see our student-athletes and coaches embrace Team IMPACT on our campus over the past few years," said Redman. "We have incredible student leaders, specifically Danja Stafford and Tyrone Kirunda, who have helped highlight our teams' matches and share opportunities for our athletics community within Team IMPACT. We're excited to bring more matches to our campus and look forward to strengthening our relationships with the organization and families."
Shikha Shah, a Regional Director of programs with Team IMPACT, has been working with Santa Clara Athletics to help continue growing the Broncos' portfolio with the organization.
"Santa Clara has unexpectedly grown to be one of our largest Team IMPACT hubs in California," said Shah. "The unwavering support we receive from Lauren, our fellows and teams is at a caliber we hope to recreate at other campuses within the West region.
"Santa Clara welcomed Team IMPACT into their Broncos family and so seamlessly integrated the kids into their individual team cultures. Because of this, our families have been so fortunate to experience a genuine and heartfelt relationship with the student-athletes. We admire the dedication showcased by Santa Clara and excited about growing the partnership further!"
BRONCOS TEAM CONNECTIONS
SantaClaraBroncos.com will expand on each program's Team IMPACT connection throughout the rest of the 2022-23 year. Below are short summaries of each team's connection and some of the activities they've already been involved in:
Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball also had a signee early on in the partnership that brought excitement and energy to their program – Ryan. Ryan came to games and was one of the best teammates that any team could ask for. He even appeared in Jalen Williams' congratulatory video when he was drafted into the NBA. Ryan also graduated in 2021 but still is an important piece to the Santa Clara campus community.
Men's Rowing
The Santa Clara men's rowing team was the first Broncos program to start the department's connection with Team IMPACT, back in 2020. JT Winston (rowing alumnus) was the first fellow to take on creating these connections on campus. Men's rowing had a signee that graduated in 2022 – Joey. Joey was an integral member of the men's rowing team and showed up to practices with cheerfulness. Men's rowing was always excited to have team activities and make sure that Joey had the opportunity to impact the program.
Men's Water Polo
Nolan is men's water polo's signee, and he has fit right in, right away. A swimmer himself, Nolan brings ecstatic energy to the program and has brought the group a lot of sunshine. Joining men's water polo this year officially on paper on Oct. 4, 2022, Nolan has built an amazing relationship with Coach Wilbur and continues to make the program proud.
Men's Soccer
Another amazing addition to the athletics department was the men's soccer signee, Mason. Mason and his family have impacted the Broncos community with their strength and camaraderie. The soccer program was thrilled to have Mason officially join the team on Oct. 15, 2022, and has loved every moment they've shared with Mason. They are excited to have him on the team and to welcome him into the program for the upcoming fall season in 2023.
Women's Basketball
Mia has been matched with Santa Clara women's basketball since 2021. Due to the Pandemic, Mia and her team interacted through Zoom calls for a while. The team was so excited to finally welcome her on campus, and she officially signed with the Broncos on Nov. 10, 2022. Anytime Mia joins the group for practice or games there is a surge of energy. She always brings her courage and resilience to help build the program.
Men's Tennis
Theo has stolen the heart of the Santa Clara men's tennis team since he was matched. With his beaming smile, he brings brightness to the courts whenever he is on campus. Santa Clara's newest signee joined his team on Jan. 27 and showed his other teammates how it's done when he quickly picked up a racquet and joined the Broncos for a few swings at practice.
COMING UP
Stay tuned to SantaClaraBroncos.com, and follow @SCUBroncos on Twitter and Instagram as we expand on each team's Team IMPACT connection throughout the year.
