CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Chris Hamblin, The Branca Family Head Coach for Harvard Women's Soccer, announced a new team member today, signing 12-year-old Maddy Harsfield through Team IMPACT.
Maddy, who experienced a stroke in utero, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Wednesday morning at the Harvard Athletics campus. She will participate in many activities with the Crimson this season including games, practices, and other team events.
"Whenever we look at people and recruits that we want to bring into our program we want them to embody the same values that our program has." said Hamblin. "Maddy checks all those boxes, which is why we are so excited to bring her into the program. There is no doubt she will help make this team better."
Erin McDermott, The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics, was also in attendance at the signing to welcome Maddy to Harvard.
"We are delighted to welcome you with open arms to this community," said McDermott. "You couldn't have selected a more awesome group of women. We are so pleased to welcome you and honored to have you as part of our program. I'm sure they will draw inspiration and enthusiasm from you and now they will want to play for you as well as each other."
Ava Lung, a senior captain on the team, also shared some thoughts on how excited the team is about Maddy's signing.
"We are so excited to have you as a teammate," said Lung. "When we first met, I knew right away that you were going to bring positive energy to this team and fully embrace what it means to be a hard working soccer player. I was blown away by how smart, confident, energetic and fun you are, and you inspire all of us as your teammates to do the same. "
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Maddy officially join the Crimson," said Ryan Irwin, Executive Director, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside Harvard University, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."
Harvard University has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 12 years, matching 16 children across its women's field hockey, men's lacrosse, women's water polo, women's swimming, football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, men's wrestling, and men's and women's ice hockey teams.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 children with 700+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
