Ian Rutherford Team Impact Signing Day Photo Album

EASTON, Mass. (March 15, 2022) – The Stonehill College track and field program officially welcomed its newest teammate when it signed 10-year old, Ian Rutherford of Plymouth, Mass. through Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges, Together) during a ceremony at the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex in February.

Ian joins the Stonehill track and field program as an official team member and will attend practices, meets, and team functions for the next two seasons. Team IMPACT, is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams to form life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Ian is the first-ever Team Impact teammate in the track and field program's history.  

"We are super excited to have Ian and his family here to finally make this official,' said Stonehill track and field head coach, Michael Delgado. "We are really looking forward to this because this is the first time we've actually had a Team IMPACT member be part of our team so we are pretty excited when we get the opportunity to be part of this. We are really excited to continue this relationship and get Ian out to a couple more practices a few more meets, especially as we get into the outdoor season, excited to get him involved."

Ian received his Stonehill track piney and a Stonehill hat upon signing his official Stonehill track and field and Team IMPACT "Letter of Intent." One of his new teammates that will be helping Ian acclimate to his new team is men's track and field student-athlete and Team IMPACT leadership group member, Reilly Johnston. "As a team, we are super fortunate for Ian to have signed with us," said Johnston. "We are excited to get a new teammate!"

"Team IMPACT is excited to see Ian officially join the Skyhawk family," said Danielle Hardee, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "Stonehill College, and the entire campus community, has been dedicated to our program since 2012. We are proud to be official partners forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes for so many families in the Greater Boston area."

Stonehill College has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 10 years, matching 24 children across its baseball, cheerleading, men's and women's basketball, football, dance, track and field, men's ice hockey, men's and women's soccer, field hockey, softball, and women's volleyball teams.

About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT is the only U.S. nonprofit that tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious illnesses and disabilities by matching them with a college athletic team. Our two-year therapeutic program complements a child's medical treatments, allowing the child to develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing. 

Through participation in Team IMPACT's clinically informed program, children experience a true sense of belonging, resulting in increased empowerment, normalization, health promotion, and resilience. Families feel connected and supported as their child achieves individualized goals, while experiencing the joy of team camaraderie and inclusion; and student-athletes gain perspective and inspiration, as well as lessons in adversity and resilience. 

Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 65,000 student-athletes. Team IMPACT has more than 1,200 teams across the country waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a serious illness or disability and could benefit from becoming a member of the team. To learn more, or if you know a child who may be interested, get in the game at www.teamimpact.org and @goteamimpact.