MEDFORD, MA (April 3, 2025) -- Tufts University head women's tennis coach
Kate Bayard announced a new team member, signing 11-year old Reese Barile through Team Impact.
Reese, diagnosed with Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference Wednesday, April 2 on the campus of Tufts University. She will participate in many activities with the team including games, practices, team bonding an 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.
"Reese has been a phenomenal addition to our team and we are beyond excited to see what the future holds with Reese as part of our team," said Bayard. "She immediately fit into our team culture and has contributed to our success so far this spring. Reese's teammates constantly feel her support during matches through her encouraging cheers and talks off the court. Reese has a way of keeping her teammates laughing and having fun, while also making sure they are ready to compete hard."
Tufts University has a strong connection to
Team IMPACT, as eight of Team IMPACT's founders met as students at Tufts. Tufts has matched 25 children across its sports teams, and the university has been recognized as a top fellowship campus by Team IMPACT.
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 over 3,000 children with 700+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit
www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For Tufts:
Jamie Chagnon,
jamie.chagnon@tufts.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo,
kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
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