The Northeast-10 and Team IMPACT have been intertwined for almost a decade, working together to positively impact the lives of hundreds of children as well as thousands of student-athletes. This relationship started in the spring of 2011 and grew into an official partnership between the organizations in the fall of 2012 when both saw the value of pairing college athletic teams with children facing life threatening illnesses

This relationship has been an unqualified success, matching hundreds of children and teams from NE10 schools. Some of its success can be attributed to its simple but life-changing goal: allow children who are sick and haven’t been able to be a part of a sports team, have a team of their own, with older teammates who will look after them and provide a fun, caring atmosphere. 

“The NE10 was the first ever conference partner for Team IMPACT," said Chief Executive Officer Seth Rosenzweig. "Since then, NE10 schools have worked with almost 150 children in the Team IMPACT program. Throughout the partnership it’s been clear that not only does the NE10 excel at academics and athletics, but also places great importance on developing their student-athletes as people and future leaders.”

Team IMPACT’s first-ever match with any college program was in April of 2011, when Benjamin Roy was drafted by the Saint Anselm men’s ice hockey program. The relationship between Roy and his new teammates grew and ultimately that season ended with Roy going out on the ice with his teammates to celebrate the Hawks’ NE10 Championship. From this first match, Team IMPACT has grown in size but never has forgotten its mission to provide life-changing sports experiences for children who might not have one otherwise. It has paved the way for the ability to work with schools from the Power Five conferences, as well as a partnership with the NCAA Division II and the NCAA National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

Every single NE10 school has had at least one team draft a teammate through Team IMPACT. In the last month alone they’ve been able to match two more teams with children, despite being in the middle of a pandemic. Team IMPACT has also worked various NE10 schools to develop an ambassador program, allowing student-athletes to work directly with the organization, helping them facilitate future matches while growing as leaders. 

"One of the most important tenets of the NE10’s mission is to provide our student-athletes with opportunities for personal growth through contributions to the community," said NE10 Commissioner Julie Ruppert. "Over the past decade, no effort has better exemplified this commitment to our communities than our relationship with Team IMPACT. These relationships, built on mutual admiration and trust, have helped the Team IMPACT children experience life beyond illness and shaped hundreds of NE10 student-athlete role models. I believe our partnership with Team Impact will endure the test of time and continue to be emblematic of who we are and what we believe in here in the NE10."

For more information on all the amazing work Team IMPACT is doing, or to contact them about being involved, visit their website at www.teamimpact.org. 

Team IMPACT Links of Note:

• 2012 Announcement of NE10, Team IMPACT Partnership
• 2013 ESPN Boston article on Team IMPACT
• 2014 NCAA Champion Magazine Piece on Team IMPACT
• NE10’s Team IMPACT Page

NE10 & Team IMPACT

ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete. 

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.