Beyond the game: Team IMPACT’s effect on Saint Michael’s College athletes

For athletes at Saint Michael’s College, the game now represents more than just competition as new additions to the roster are teaching them there is more to play for. 

The name Team IMPACT is becoming more widely known and represented on the Saint Michael’s College campus. Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit organization that matches children ages 5-16 who are facing disability and serious illness with a college sports team. 

Four sports teams at Saint Michael’s College currently have pairings with a Team IMPACT child and family: women’s soccer, softball, baseball, and women’s basketball. According to Josh Kessler ’04, director of athletic communications, Saint Michael’s College has been a long-time partner involved with Team IMPACT, with their first pairing starting in 2012. 

Saint Michael’s College Women’s Soccer added 12-year-old Mariella Desjardin (center, white shirt) to their roster as part of a Team IMPACT match. (Photo courtesy of Saint Michael’s Athletic Communications)

Team IMPACT aims for the children of these families to become important members of each team they are on, establishing life-long connections. Kessler has worked closely with the program, recalling a standout success story from a field hockey partnership. 

“Field hockey was paired with Maureen Eddy in 2012 and stayed connected with her for five years, often participating in the local cystic fibrosis walk to support Maureen and her family,” Kessler said. “Thanks to this relationship, the team was recognized at the Vermont Statehouse in 2017, along with Maureen and her mother.”

Saint Michael’s College Women’s Soccer team was introduced to Team IMPACT after their head coach, Wendy Elles, applied for their team to find a family match. Soon after, the team was connected and introduced to Mariella Desjardin, a 12-year-old girl managing a kidney condition. Now, the bond between team members and Mariella resembles one of a little sister with big sisters. 

Elani Gikas ’25, a Team IMPACT Fellow, volunteered to join the leadership committee the summer before her junior year of college and can remember her initial reaction when she found out that Mariella was joining the team in 2023. 

“When I heard we were matched, I was initially excited, but I didn’t fully know what Team IMPACT was,” Gikas said. “After doing a little bit of research and joining the leadership team, I was so excited to welcome Mariella to our team and wanted to make this experience the best for her and her family.”

Saint Michael’s College has participated in Team IMPACT since 2012. The organization matches a youth who managing disability or illness with a college sports team. In this photo, one Team IMPACT team member speaks with a member of the Saint Michael’s Baseball Team. (Photo by Alex Weiss ’25)

Since joining the team, Mariella has attended practices, gone bowling, played laser tag with the team, cheered from the sidelines at games, and even traveled to Spain during this fall preseason for eight days. 

The students have not only been able to grow their relationship with Desjardin, but they have also learned so much about her and themselves in the short time she has been on the team. 

“I think when Mariella joined us, there was an immediate energy shift,” Gikas said. “We started playing for something bigger than ourselves and started playing for her. She showed us what strength and resilience really means.”

Kiera Parker ’25, who is also a Team IMPACT Fellow, shares similar feelings regarding her team’s match on the softball team. 

“It gives athletes the opportunity to realize that sports are so much bigger than just competition,” Parker said. “It gives them a sense of motivation and puts things into perspective as not everyone is as lucky and healthy as they are. Parker explained that having this built-in family gives the children a sense of inclusion, something they don’t always feel due to their disability. 

Through Team IMPACT, Hazel Olah (center) became a member of the Saint Michael’s College Women’s Basketball team. (Photo by Jim Laskarzewski ’86)

Coaches are noticing the difference that Team IMPACT matches bring to the teams as well. Shannon Bollhardt ’15, coach of the Women’s Basketball Team, expressed the positive change that their recent match, Hazel Olah, has added to the team environment. 

“I can see a true sense of calm in our players when Hazel is there — they offer her their full attention and feel much more present,” Bollhardt said. She added, “It has also given our team another connection outside of basketball — attending Hazel’s birthday party, chorus concerts, and just finding time to hang out with her!”    

 For Gikas, becoming a Team IMPACT Fellow has deepened her involvement with the program, raising awareness for what Team IMPACT does across campus. Gikas and Parker have also worked closely with the College’s Department of Athletics to put on events such as the Home Run Derby and Awareness Games. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Gikas and Parker, with guidance from Bollhardt and the athletics administration, were able to unveil the Wall of Fame featuring photos of Team IMPACT families following the women’s basketball Team IMPACT game. 

“We wanted to make this a special shout-out for our current and previous matches,” Gikas said. “These matches help us more than they know, and this is just one piece we can give back to them.”

Bollhardt also mentioned that they are looking forward to making the wall an even bigger tribute over the summer. 

As Team IMPACT continues to grow and thrive on campus, student-athletes remain committed to growing these relationships. Kessler said that the Athletic Department is in the process of encouraging more teams on campus to sign up for the program so they can be matched. 

“It is truly an eye-opening and life-changing experience for not only our match but ourselves too,” Gikas said.