#team impact

VCU signs Team Impact recruit Tyler Grazioso

VCU held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the signing of Team Impact recruit Tyler Grazioso, a 12 year old with cystic fibrosis. “Not everybody gets a fair deal in life, but it’s how you handle it, and this guy is a great example for our program to handle things the right way, with great courage, confidence, and a great loving spirit” said VCU head coach Mike Rhoades. This year, VCU has…

Boston-based charity appoints new Executive Director

BOSTON, MA (July 30, 2014) – Boston-based charity Team IMPACT has appointed Duke Little as the new Executive Director of the organization. Established in 2011, the non-profit organization matches children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses to a college athletic team local to where they live. Once matched, these courageous kids gain a sense of belonging, support and strength and in turn, the student-athletes are taught lessons about courage and resiliency that they cannot learn in a classroom. “We couldn't be happier to have Duke Little join our team,” says Dan Kraft, President of The Kraft Group-International and Board Chair of Team IMPACT. “His overall experience, innovative thinking and passion for the organization are just a few strengths that will bring us closer to having every eligible child identified and matched with a team of role models, advocates and friends.” With over 25 years’ of experience in the sports industry, Duke Little is a seasoned veteran with positions in marketing, event management, sales and sponsorships. Before joining Team IMPACT, Little most recently served as the General Manager of Boston College IMG Sports Marketing. Prior to that, the California native was the Director of Corporate Partners for the University of New Hampshire Athletic Department. At the senior level, Little’s sports-related experience made him the perfect match for Team IMPACT as they look to expand their program across the nation. “I am truly humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to lead Team IMPACT,” says Duke Little. “The organization has grown tremendously in just over three years’ time and we’re anxious to further expand it on both regional and national levels. These special relationships created between the children, their families and the participating college teams create bonds that we anticipate will last a lifetime. I look forward to working with our incredibly dedicated staff, supporters and Board.” Team IMPACT is currently partnered with over 240 colleges and universities throughout the country and has successfully matched over 485 children with sports teams, impacting the lives of thousands. Each child is officially “drafted” onto a team, giving them the opportunity to be a full-fledged member of the team, to the best of their ability, which creates unparalleled bonds and memories with the players and coaching staff. Team IMPACT is inspired to expand the long tradition of athletes paying tribute to something that is greater than them by serving the community and supporting each and every member of a team through adversities – both on, and off, the field.

Team IMPACT is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity registered in the state of Massachusetts. Team IMPACT is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org. ABOUT TEAM IMPACT:

Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to expanded team-based support networks in order to significantly enhance their quality of life and to fill their lives with more love and laughter. Team IMPACT also strives to provide team-based organizations everywhere an easy and efficient way to have a powerful impact on the lives of children in their community. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 400 children with collegiate teams, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 10,000 student athletes. For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.