The
Sideline Stories platform creates an outlet for student-athletes across the Northeast-10 Conference to tell their own stories in their own words. In similar fashion to the popular
Players' Tribune,
Sideline Stories will allow NE10 student-athletes a space to pitch, craft and tell stories that are most important to them.
Submissions are being accepted from student-athletes competing on any intercollegiate varsity team at NE10 member institutions.
Click here if you would like to share your story!
To vote for Kiera and Katie as Team IMPACT Teammates of the Year,
click here.
I joined Team IMPACT my sophomore year of college after transferring to Saint Michael's College, needing to be closer to home due to the health issues I was dealing with. Quick primer - Team IMPACT works with children living with illness or disability and "provides a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment for a child and their family to connect with a college athletic team and local campus community." More on Team IMPACT in a moment.
First, at age 14 I was diagnosed with endometriosis (a condition where the tissue that is supposed to grow inside the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing extreme pain). I was an avid soccer player, but the diagnosis caused me to fall back a bit while other girls were continuing to gain muscle and become stronger. At age 15, I had my first kidney stone that needed to be surgically removed. The endometriosis pain along with the kidney stones did not stop for my entire high school career, even into my college career and I had my 13th surgery this past August. Doctors are unsure if there is a link between the two, but they are yet to find a cure for either.
In high school, I quit soccer. The sport required too much out of my body for the amount of pain I was in and I simply could not keep up with the other girls. I turned to softball and put all of my focus on that. Throughout the years of surgeries and hundreds of doctors' appointments , I noticed how many children there are that love sports but cannot play as much as they would like to due to their medical conditions. When I transferred to Saint Mike's, I struggled with playing time and I realized that there is so much more to being an athlete than just being a starter.
I reached out to Team IMPACT and wound up joining the organization as a fellow. Being a fellow means you complete medical outreach and are an ambassador for the program, constantly spreading awareness around your school and making sure all athletic teams are signed up to receive a match. You also get to join monthly zoom calls with amazing leaders, coaches and mentors around the country. I knew I could use my perspective to be able to talk to the nurses about the program.
Shortly after my first medical outreach experience, 10-year-old Katie Guy joined our team at Saint Michael's. Katie is the most positive person in my life, and her disability does not define her whatsoever. She lights up every single room she walks into and I cannot thank Team IMPACT enough for everything that the program does for these children. Katie is a staple at Purple Knights games and practices and our team has been able to provide the same support for her (we even saw here hit a double in a game earlier this season).
My relationship with Katie has grown to be a true friendship. She is so mature for her age and we can talk about literally anything, whether it is health related or about softball. If I'm feeling anxious about a game or anything in my life, I always rant to Katie about it because she provides such a positive perspective on life. I need her just as much as she needs me and she has been my rock over the past few years! We are absolutely going to stay in touch after I graduate, as I will be going home to Boston and Katie has a doctor that she sees down there. The program truly brought me a lifelong friend!
As for my role with Team IMPACT, I was recently moved up to being a team lead, which means I oversee all of the fellows in the northeast. This has allowed me to make sure that everything is going smoothly with the fellows and that I am extra support for them if they need it. I am so excited to continue working with the program after I graduate in May!
Because of the bond that Katie and our team have created, she and I were recently named national finalists for Team IMPACT's Teammate of the Year. Katie and I are so appreciative of the help we have been receiving in the voting process and the award means so much to both of us — not for the honor or award itself, but for what it says about the bond and lasting impact that Katie and our team have been able to create since she joined us.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 11 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.