On Sept. 7, Swarthmore varsity athletes traveled to Philadelphia to participate in the IMPACT Philly Field Day event hosted by the national nonprofit Team IMPACT. The organization, which works to connect children navigating serious illness or disability with local collegiate programs and players, welcomed members from the Garnet’s field hockey, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, and men’s swimming teams to help create lasting memories for the IMPACT athletes.
Throughout the day, collegiate athletes from the Philly area ran a number of activity stations, such as mini golf, basketball, and carnival games for IMPACT athletes and families. Lucky winners received tickets that could be exchanged for prizes, including T-shirts and caps. Lunch, provided by the organizers, was an opportunity to connect sports teams with their matched Team IMPACT athletes and participating members outside of their college.
Swarthmore Athletics celebrates each addition of a new IMPACT athlete. Once a child is matched to a Garnet sports team, they then complete a “signing day” in the presence of their newfound teammates and coaches. Swarthmore currently holds numerous team partnerships with Team IMPACT athletes: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, baseball, softball, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, and, newly, field hockey.
In addition to signing day, IMPACT families regularly grab meals with designated teams, visit practice sessions, cheer on the Garnet during home games, and even travel to away games.
This past July, women’s soccer player Liesel Blau ’27 and men’s soccer player Joseph Eyiolowope ’26 were selected into the Team IMPACT fellowship program, which was developed to foster leadership opportunities and deepen the organization’s effort in college athletic spaces. Blau represented Swarthmore at the Boston College fellowship summit, where 300 fellows from all over the nation joined together to learn about community leadership and professional development taught by speakers and collaborative training.
The two athletes continue their efforts to continue the IMPACT mission, and they find participation in the fellowship extremely rewarding and educational.
“Overall, Team IMPACT has helped me realize that there are more important aspects of life beyond academics and athletics,” Eyiolowope said, whose team matched with athlete Abu. “It has shown me that I can make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life simply by showing up and doing what I already do every day. Being around Abu and seeing the joy he brings to the team reminds me of the importance of patience, guidance, and simply being present for someone younger who looks up to you.”
Blau, whose team has added athlete Eva to their roster, looks back joyfully on the Philadelphia gathering. “The Team IMPACT Philly Field Day was such a fun event and I am so happy so many Swat student-athletes could volunteer! We are so excited to continue to grow Team IMPACT on our campus.”
The Swarthmore Athletic Department also hosts Team IMPACT awareness matches to further educate and expand the IMPACT community. Men’s soccer will host the first Team IMPACT game on Oct. 4 against McDaniel College at Clothier Stadium.
