University of Connecticut Athletics
Kaleigh Thereault from Team IMPACT is our Newest Husky
11/6/2018 1:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Joins the Women’s Lacrosse team
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn women's lacrosse filled their final 2019 roster spot on Tuesday afternoon, with 8-year-old Kaleigh Thereault from Team IMPACT. Kaleigh signed her Husky Intent Letter surrounded by her new teammates, coaches, family, and media members to make her an official part of the UConn Athletics family.
Kaleigh is a native of Manchester, Conn. was diagnosed at birth with and is bravely battling Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in various organs, primarily the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, and lungs.
Upon entering the Mark R. Shenkman Facility, Kaleigh immediately greeted her teammates and coaches with a warm hug and a wide-eyed smile. Joined by her brother, they both began to run around the training facility playing tag with members of the lacrosse team.
Head coach Katie Woods spoke on behalf of the coaching staff and team saying, "We are extremely excited and grateful to have Kaleigh joining us as a member of the lacrosse team." Coach Woods later presented Kaleigh with her very own jersey as well as her very own lacrosse stick, with her jersey number engraved on it. In addition to attending practices, Kaleigh will be able to go to games, team dinners, events, and more.
Team IMPACT is a Boston-headquarted national nonprofit that pairs children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams. Since 2011, Team Impact has matched nearly 1,600 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 49 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes. The organization has more than 1,000 teams waiting to be matched with children ages 5-16.
UConn Athletics has been a participant with the Team IMPACT program since 2014. Partnering with Team IMPACT has been a primary interest with the lacrosse team for some time now and they finally have that opportunity with Kaleigh.
Below is a Gallery from the Draft Day Ceremony.
