Over the past few years, Columbia University Athletics has welcomed more than 15 children through Team IMPACT, a national organization that connects children facing serious illness or disability with college athletic teams. This association recently deepened to an official partnership, celebrated with Team IMPACT Day last Saturday when the Columbia softball team hosted Harvard. Three children currently matched with Columbia teams (women’s swimming, women’s soccer and track and field) threw out the first ball.
Columbia senior swim team member Lindsay Orringer became involved with Team IMPACT her sophomore year, joining a leadership group as the team began steps to get a match. She had experience in high school working with special needs kids, so this was of interest to her. The team’s match, Zoe Marshalleck, is actually listed on the team roster.
“We’ve gotten to work with Zoe and her family pretty much every week, and it’s been great to get to know them,” said Orringer, who participated in Team IMPACT’s fellow training in 2024. “As a fellow, not only are you working with your match, but you’re trying to foster other matches on other teams. You’re doing medical outreach in your community to get more awareness about the organization.”
Orringer loves that a Team IMPACT match has a sustained relationship. “It’s typically a two-year commitment that a team makes to the kid and their family, and they’re fully included in every team activity,” said Orringer. “At every home meet when they announce our names, Zoe walks out with us.”
Zoe has attended weekly practices with the team every Sunday, and she loves to swim. The bond has been so strong that she’s actually been with the team for three years. Although non-verbal, the swim team is able to communicate with her. Orringer graduates this spring and will start a master’s in social work program at University of Michigan this fall.
“A lot of head coaches have approached us about wanting matches,” said Orringer. Through the expanded partnership, the goal is to match at least 80% of Columbia varsity sports teams with children through Team IMPACT. “At the softball game, the coach approached us.”
Orringer said Saturday’s softball game was a great experience. “The kids got to keep these softballs that have the Columbia logo,” she said. “They were really excited about getting to throw out the first pitch.”
The post Columbia Athletics deepens its commitment to Team IMPACT appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
