DeLand, FL — In a heartwarming moment, Stetson Baseball welcomed Sammy into their ranks on Wednesday afternoon, marking the university's third partnership with Team Impact. 8-year-old Sammy met the team for the first time in a special celebration at Melching Field.
Amidst smiles and handshakes, Sammy embarked on a tour of the locker room and facilities, soaking in the atmosphere of brotherhood between him and newfound friends. As introductions unfolded, Head Coach
Steve Trimper presented Sammy with a memorable gift—a Stetson baseball jersey and cap—symbolizing his official acceptance into the Stetson Baseball family.
Sammy approaches life with a vibrant and resilient attitude amid the challenges of Beta Thalassemia Major and ADHD. He lives with his older brother, Jack (26), Mom, Beth, and Jack's Daughter, Rose (4). Sammy's other brother, Gabe (20) is in the Air Force and is stationed in North Carolina. He also has a sister, Sarah, who is a pediatric nurse in Texas.
The team led Sammy out onto the field, where they gathered for a group photo, capturing the essence of unity and inclusion. Against the backdrop of the baseball diamond, Sammy engaged in conversations with the team, as the two strengthen their newly established bond.
Sammy is homeschooled and usually does not have school on Fridays but stays active by practicing Karate on Mondays and Wednesdays and playing the piano once a week. Some of Sammy's interests include Star Wars, Marvel and Legos. He also loves to learn and is even an avid swimmer. For the team, they now gain a new pen pal as they spend many weekends on the road or playing summer ball across the country.
For Sammy, being matched with Stetson Baseball is more than just joining a team—it's gaining a family, and finding positive male role models to guide him during his time in the program. As an adopted child, having lost his father and with his older brother, Gabe, enlisted in the United States Armed Forces, Sammy's world has seen its share of challenges. Enter Team Impact, an organization dedicated to bringing kids like Sammy onto college athletic teams, fostering mentorship, and creating lifelong bonds.
Team Impact is a program built on strength and camaraderie, ensuring that kids like Sammy develop socially and never feel alone. Their unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country, guiding a relationship focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
Founded in 2011, Team Impact has matched more than 3,500 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting over 75,000 student-athletes. The program's clinical model emphasizes a symbiotic relationship between teams and children, fostering confidence, independence, and belonging.
The impact of these relationships is significant. When these children are with their teams, the hope is that they are not thinking about their situation but rather they just have fun by being kids who are included and accepted.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter . For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics For a recap of the week's notable stories, sign up for the Stetson Athletics Newsletter
