FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2014
Photo Album from Alexis's Draft Day (Courtesy of Merrimack College)
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's basketball team is nine games into what has been a successful start to the 2014-15 campaign, including victories against Bentley, the reigning national champions, and Assumption, arguably the hottest team in the nation when the Warriors met the Grehounds.
All of that, however, does not compare to the moment the Navy and Gold shared with the newest member of their team on Saturday afternoon following the squad's five-point victory over Saint Michael's.
Head coach Monique LeBlanc, in conjunction with Team IMPACT, announced the addition of Alexis Schnaderbeck to the program in a ceremony held in the Blue Line Club on campus.
"Our program is extremely excited to have a new relationship with Team Impact, and specifically Alexis. In just a few short weeks, Alexis, as well as her sister Jessica and parents Catherine & Matt have made a huge impact on our team," LeBlanc stated.
"Alexis is a true warrior and inspires our team each and every day. We look forward to growing this relationship, as we hope to give Alexis as much inspiration as she has already given to us."
The entire team joined Alexis to officially welcome their 8-year-old teammate to the program. Alexis, along with her entire family, have been supporting the Warriors for most of the season, even travelling to Worcester to see the Warriors take down the Greyhounds.
Alexis becomes the latest relationship forged through Merrimack Athletics and Team IMPACT, which enriches the lives of young children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
Alexis, 8, is a resident of Methuen, Mass. who lives with her mother, father and 7-year-old sister Jessica. Alexis suffers from an undiagnosed genetic disorder. She happens to go to school with Brady Antaya, the Team IMPACT member of the Merrimack College men's soccer team. Brady and some of his Warriors teammates were in attendance from Alexis' draft-day ceremony.
Coach LeBlanc addressed the crowd, and members of the women's basketball team presented Alexis with team gear, including jerseys. The team even had a cake make, with a message welcoming Alexis and her family to the Warriors.
Information for this release provide by the Merrimack College athletics communications staff
The Northeast-10 Conference is an association of 15 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 6,500 student-athletes.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE-10 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 Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
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