Team IMPACT Collaborates With Swimming and Diving: Meet Mikey

The men and women’s swimming and diving team has welcomed Mikey, a young boy from the Team IMPACT program, as a new member of their team. Various sports have collaborated with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization who connects children with serious or life-threatening medical diagnoses and disabilities with college athletic teams across the country. The collaboration between Trinity Athletics and Team IMPACT began in 2011 when the men’s basketball team took on the opportunity. This has continued into the present, with teams such as men’s ice hockey and the men’s lacrosse team also acting as leaders for these young kids. 

Team IMPACT was founded by Jay Calnan, whose brother Chris was diagnosed with an illness that prevented him from participating in sports. Chris joined the Bristol Red Sox, a minor league AA baseball team, as their batboy. This inspired Jay to share opportunities like this to children undergoing life threatening illnesses and disabilities. Team IMPACT is now a nationwide non-profit organization that has been working for decades. 

Team IMPACT matches these children to a specific college athletic team. This is a way to expand that family’s support system and to include all of the benefits being on a sports team has into that child’s life. 

The Trinity swimming and diving team works with Case Manager Rebecca Carr from Team IMPACT. Carr said to the Tripod, “As the case manager for this family and team, I oversee the relationship, helping to ensure that the match is successful and that all participants are having a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.” She described Mikey as “outgoing, funny and determined.” Rebecca also explained how the team will guide Mikey and welcome him to the team. She said, “Michael is a 10 year-old child who lives with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. This affects his development in multiple ways and he is a full-time wheelchair user. Mikey’s mother heard about Team IMPACT and recognized that having the support and camaraderie of a team would be helpful to Mikey on many levels. She signed him up and he was matched with Trinity swimming and diving.” She also explained that Mikey’s match was based on his abilities, saying that “being in the water tends to be both fun and therapeutic, as buoyancy is a great equalizer for kids with muscle and coordination challenges.” She highlighted their goals for the partnership and how the swimming and diving team has embraced Mikey. “From attending his birthday party, to playing games in the Trinity pool, to sending videos from their hometowns over the summer, this team has quickly brought Mikey into their circle. The family are included on the team weekly emails and make plans to attend all the team activities that they can fit into their schedule. And recently, Mikey signed his official national letter of Intent to join the team. There is no doubt that Mikey is having the time of his life as a member of Trinity swimming and diving, but it’s also equally true that the team are learning from him about resilience, perseverance and all-out fun!”

Once these families apply to Team IMPACT’s program and are paired with a college level sports team, their objective is to give a child the opportunity to know the enjoyment of sports, and experience mentorship from the athletes. Teams are eligible based on their culture, bond and excitement to welcome a new player. 

Members of the team also offered comments to the Tripod: “Taking on the role with Team IMPACT has been such a special experience,” said Rachel Kim ’26. “I feel so lucky to work with Mikey and his family and to have them as part of our team. It’s been amazing getting to know him. Mikey’s energy and positivity remind us what being part of a team is truly about: showing up for each other, supporting one another and having fun along the way.”

“Mikey has been a gift to the team and we are very thankful to Team IMPACT for connecting us,” said Teke Helms ’28. “It has been an honor to bring Mikey and his family onto the team and are excited for our bond to grow!” 

“Working with Team IMPACT has been such a privilege and our team couldn’t have asked for a better connection,” said Emma Conrad ’27. “Mikey and his family bring so much energy and laughter to our team. Mikey has reminded us all what it truly means to be a team supporting each other and I can’t wait to see how he grows into his role as a Bantam.”