Brayden Joins Stonehill Football Program in Team IMPACT “Draft Day” Ceremony

Skyhawks officially welcomed North Attleboro 9-year-old in recent signing day event on campus

Brayden signs his Team IMPACT "Letter of Intent" to formally join the Stonehill football team. (PHOTO BY Joe Spadorcia, '23_

EASTON, Mass. (December 14, 2021) – The Stonehill College football program officially welcomed its newest teammate when it recently signed nine-year-old Brayden Tryon of nearby North Attleboro through Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges, Together) during a ceremony inside the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex.

Brayden, the son of Ashley and Patrick Tryon, joins the Stonehill football program as an official team member and will attend practices, games and team functions as he continues his progress after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of eight. Team IMPACT, 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, matched Brayden with the football team and they first met during the fall season.

"We're really excited to welcome Brayden and his family to the Stonehill football family," said Stonehill football head coach Eli Gardner. "As our team got to know Brayden in the fall and moving forward, it became obvious that it is just a terrific fit for both of us. We feel really blessed to have such a good person with a great family behind him, joining our program. It's inspiring to get to know Brayden and to hear his story and see how he goes about attacking life and living it to the fullest, while overcoming obstacles that are placed in front of him. I think there is lot that his teammates and beyond can take from Brayden and learn to become better people because of knowing him."

Brayden received his number 99 jersey upon signing his official Stonehill football and Team IMPACT "Letter of Intent." Helping Brayden acclimate to his new team are team advocates: senior Tahj Valentine, juniors Cam Boes, Jeremy DaCruz and PJ DeVirgilio, sophomores Cameron Alves and Matt Arvanitis and freshman Matthew DeVirgilio.

Brayden, of North Attleboro, along with his parents, brother and sisters at his Team IMPACT signing day ceremony with the Stonehill football program. (PHOTO BY Joe Spadorcia, '23)

"On behalf of the entire football team, we are so excited to have Brayden as our newest teammates," said Valentine. "We know from his journey in life, that he possesses the values of our team which are Discipline, Intellect, and Grit. Keep Digging!"

"Team IMPACT is excited to see Brayden join the Skyhawk family," said Danielle Hardee, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to partner with Stonehill College, their athletic department and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."

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.

Stonehill finished its 2021 season with an 8-2 record overall, including a 6-2 mark in the NE10 to finish third in the final regular season standings. The Skyhawks capped their season with three-straight wins to reach the eight win mark for the first time since its NE10 regular season championship campaign in 2013 (8-3), while posting its first 8-2 season since 1996. The Skyhawks finished 6-2 in NE10 play for the first time since posting an 8-1 mark in 2013.

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