MEDFORD, MA (March 31, 2023) – Tufts men's lacrosse head coach
Casey D'Annolfo announced a new team member, signing 10-year-old Dermot Tynan through Team IMPACT.
Dermot, who was diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Thursday, March 30
th, at the Tisch Fitness Center. He will participate in many activities with the team including games, practices, and other team events.
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
"Team IMPACT is thrilled to see Dermot officially join the Jumbos men's lacrosse team," said Ryan Irwin, Executive Director, Northeast for Team IMPACT. "Tufts University is one of the most engaged and dedicated institutions across the country and is a prime example of what being a true partner looks like. We at Team IMPACT are proud to work alongside their campus leadership, athletic department and coaching staff to create life-changing experiences and lifelong bonds between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates. Go Jumbos!"
Gallery: (3-29-2023) Dermot Tynan Team Impact Signing - MLAX
Team IMPACT was co-founded by six Tufts alumni in 2011 – Jay Calnan, Dan Kraft, Robert Tishman, Dan Walsh, and Kris Herman – along with friends Mark Plansky, Scott Tully, and Tim Kelly. Their years of personal experience on and off the field gave them opportunities to witness the impact a college athletic team can have on the mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of children with serious illnesses and disabilities.
From the beginning, Tufts University has worked with Team IMPACT matching 25 children across its baseball, football, men's and women's basketball, co-ed sailing, men's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, co-ed swimming, softball, women's volleyball, men's golf, and field hockey teams.
"We are so fired up to have a Dermot officially join the Tufts men's lacrosse team. His toughness, resilience and incredible spirit is an inspiration for our guys. We love having him around and we are excited to have him be a part of this team for years to come," said D'Annolfo.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,500 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 50 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit
www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For Tufts University: Jamie Chagnon,
jamie.chagnon@tufts.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo,
kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
--JUMBOS--
