菠萝视频app Men鈥檚 Ice Hockey signs 6-year-old recruit
In a first for 菠萝视频app University, the school鈥檚 will announce its newest recruit on Friday, Sept. 22, signing 6-year-old Jace Keeley of Erie through Team IMPACT.
Jace, who is diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 that currently manifests as a benign brain tumor, will be introduced at a signing day press conference at 4 p.m. in the 菠萝视频app Athletic Center.
matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved.
鈥淭his is a first for 菠萝视频app, and I believe in the region, and our guys are over the moon about it,鈥 said Coach Rick Gotkin. 鈥淲e are going to do everything we can to give Jace a great experience, but it is our team that is truly blessed.鈥
Gotkin said Jace will join players in many team activities. 鈥淗e will hang out in the locker room, eat pre-game meals with us, celebrate after the games; and whatever else we can think of,鈥 said Gotkin, who credited senior forward Steven Agriogianis with facilitating the university鈥檚 relationship with Team IMPACT.
鈥淥bviously, this is a memorable day for Jace and his family, but it is also a great day for the 菠萝视频app Hockey Team,鈥 Agriogianis said. 鈥淥ur team takes pride in the culture that has been created, something that is driven by having high quality people in and around our program. Because of our new addition, our culture has gotten even stronger. Jace is an unbelievable kid whose character fits right in with the other 30 members of our team. Jace's strength and positive outlook on everything that confronts him will teach the rest of our team valuable lessons and give us extra motivation throughout the season.鈥澛
Jace is the son of Sean and Natalie Keeley and he has an 8-year-old sister, Isla.
鈥淎s a mom, you try to find something your child really enjoys, their niche,鈥 Natalie said. 鈥淲ell, this is Jace鈥檚 thing. He spends so much time at the hospital that to see him smiling, messing around with the guys, and just being a boy is something we all look forward to.鈥
Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 children with 700+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes.
Grace Lerro, regional director of match-up for Team IMPACT鈥檚 Mid-Atlantic Region, said of the 菠萝视频app match: 鈥淩ick (Gotkin) understood the value of Team IMPACT from our very first call. When coaches are bought in and you have student leaders like Steven, it helps the entire team get excited. The guys welcomed Jace with open arms right off the bat, and we are confident their relationship will only grow stronger with time!鈥
PHOTO: Jace is joined by hockey team members, from left, Kyler Head, Steven Agriogianis, Mickey Burns, Marko Reifenberger, and Garett Dahm.聽