MEDFORD, MA (June 14, 2024) -- A partnership that has meant so much to the campus community at Tufts University over the years saw it's relationship once again honored on Friday, as Tufts was tabbed as the 2024 Division III Team IMPACT Fellowship Campus of the Year.
"There is no campus more deserving to be named Team IMPACT's 2024 Division III Fellowship Campus of the Year than Tufts University," said Team Impact CEO Joe Daniels. "Tufts has always been special to Team IMPACT as eight of our founders met as students at Tufts, and thirteen years later we are proud that the dedication, passion, and drive to further Team IMPACT's mission is stronger than ever within the Jumbos community."
Tufts Athletics began working with Team IMPACT in 2011, the same year that Team IMPACT was founded by a group of Tufts alumni. The women's soccer team welcomed Joli in 2011, and every year since, more and more teams welcomed Team IMPACT teammates. Since that first match in 2011, 28 Team IMPACT teammates have joined Jumbos rosters. Seven Jumbo teams currently Team IMPACT teammates on their roster as of 2023-24.
"We are proud and honored to have been selected the Team IMPACT Fellowship Campus of the Year," said Tufts Deputy Director of Athletics Alexis Mastronardi. "From the founders to the fellows, Tufts has a long and treasured history with Team IMPACT and we are incredibly grateful for the bonds that have been formed between our matches, families, student-athletes, coaches and staff. Through 28 matches over the past 13 years, the experiences have been transformational for all those involved. To now have an amazing Team IMPACT fellowship program that is recognized on a national level just speaks to the tremendous work of our student-athletes who care so deeply about this program.
Furthermore, since 2019 14 Tufts student-athletes have joined the Team IMPACT Fellowship program. Last year, Tufts fellows included Stephen Michaels and Shane Reiner from football, Mikayla Paquette and Samantha Sousa from women's basketball, Christine Audette from volleyball and John Fritz of the baseball squad. The current Tufts fellows include women's basketball players Paquette and Sarah Crossett, women's lacrosse and basketball dual sport athlete Annie Aspesi, volleyball's Akpevwe Akpoigbe and Emma Norman and baseball's Nick Goldberg.
In collaboration with the athletics department, the Fellows were able to plan Team IMPACT awareness games, table at many community events, present at Board meetings, and attend different donor event to continue to share the word about Team IMPACT. The award will be formally presented during a networking event at this year's Fellowship Summit, on Thursday, July 18
th. The event will take place at the Trustee Center on Boston University's campus.
Facts About Team IMPACT Fellowship
In the 2024-2025 school year, the Fellowship Program will include more than 250 student-athletes from more than 130 campuses. This unique opportunity allows individuals already in our program an opportunity to increase their impact.
At Team IMPACT, we believe in providing our student-athletes with the necessary skills to make an impact, not only in the lives of the children and families who participate in our program, but also on their college campuses and in their communities. These Fellows are selected from a competitive application and interview process. Once selected, the Fellows will be invited to participate in a new Fellow orientation and comprehensive three-day training.
As Fellows, they will represent Team IMPACT on their campuses and collaborate with the athletic department and greater campus community to raise awareness and increase program participation. In return, Team IMPACT will provide opportunities for Fellows to build their skills in leadership, community engagement, public speaking, and professional/career development, preparing them to be leaders in the workforce and beyond.
Candidates should prepare for an enjoyable and transformative experience during their Team IMPACT Fellowship – one that allows Fellows to participate in, and contribute to, real nonprofit work at a rapidly growing organization. By serving as our "boots on the ground," Fellows will not only help to ensure fidelity to the program model, but also build relationships and awareness
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Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes.
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