University of Connecticut Athletics
Daniela Ciriello from Team IMPACT is our Newest Husky
11/11/2018 3:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Joins the Women’s Basketball team
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn women's basketball teamed added one final piece to their 2018-2019 No. 2 ranked squad on Sunday afternoon with six-year-old Daniela Ciriello from Team IMPACT. Daniela signed her Husky Letter of Intent surrounded by her family and newly found teammates, coaches, and media members alike to mark her official joining of the UConn Athletics family.
Daniela is a native of Plainville, Conn. and began her fearless fight against Cooley's Anemia in 2017. It is also known as 'Thalassemia Major', which is the most severe form of thalassemia. This is when there is a complete lack of beta protein in the hemoglobin and causes a life-threatening anemia that requires regular blood transfusions and medical care.
Daniela was greeted and escorted to the 'Draft Day Ceremony' by her teammates and coaching staff in addition to her family. Her smile and excitement illuminated the room as the audience returned the favor, emulating the energy coming from her.
Head coach Geno Auriemma spoke on behalf of the coaching staff and team saying, "The things that we do here, obviously in the public eye, our kids get a lot of attention, they get a lot of notoriety because they happen to play a game and they play it really, really well." He continued, "But after you break all that down, they're still kids, they're just older kids. And they probably can identify with Daniela because at some point they remember when they were her age and they probably had family members, any relatives, friends that are battling something, so they understand that. Kids are the best at understanding what other kids are going through, so that means even more to us to have her be here with us today."
Daniela received her very own UConn gear in addition to gaining the access that other student-athletes have. She will have the ability to attend practices, games, team dinners, events, and much more.
UConn Athletics has been a participant with the Team IMPACT program since 2014. As the Huskies took home the victory on the court today, they left Gampel better than they arrived all thanks to the newest and perhaps most important Husky of all, Daniela.
Below is a Gallery from the Draft Day Ceremony.
