EASTON, Mass. – The Stonehill volleyball program officially welcomed its newest teammate, when it signed Amanda Murphy from nearby Abington, through Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges, Together) in a ceremony inside the College Center on Sunday.

 

Amanda, the daughter of Lucinda and Sean Murphy, resides in Abington, Massachusetts, with her brother Zachary. Amanda joins the volleyball team after being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth. The new Skyhawk signee is an avid volleyball player and loves hanging with the team.

 

"We are super excited that Amanda has joined our team and officially sign today," stated head coach Craig Martin. "She was able to join us this fall for some games to make sure that we were a good fit for her. From her infectious attitude and positivity that she brings to the heddle when we are there for games, it really inspires the team to elevate their level play. We are very excited to have her on the team and we hope for many years of success."

 

Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams to form life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes, matched Amanda with the Stonehill volleyball program. Helping acclimate to her new team are team advocates: junior Jessica Givens, sophomores Abby Remick and Carly Russell, and freshmen Amanda Maier and Basia Peragine.

 

Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts and since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched nearly 1,600 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child’s support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie, and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can’t learn in the classroom.

 

The draft day for Amanda included receiving a jersey, team bag, and new sweatshirt, signing her name to make it official, as well as, some birthday cake with her birthday being the following day. This draft day was sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. an American biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Amanda was recently able to visit the facility to see all the amazing work being done to develop medications for cystic fibrosis and other diseases.

 

Team IMPACT has more than 1,000 teams waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a series or chronic illness and who could benefit from becoming a member of the team. If you know a child who may be interested, visit goteamimpact.org for more information.

 

 

-Release and photos provided by Stonehill athletic communications-

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