Orange Welcome Newest Teammate Through Team Impact

Signed, sealed and delivered! Syracuse women's lacrosse officially welcomed its newest team member, Maddy Hertweck, at an event at the Ensley Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 25. The 5-year-old from Liverpool, N.Y. signed her letter of intent and received her Orange jersey in front of family, friends and her new teammates. Maddy and the Orange were paired through non-profit organization Team IMPACT.

Senior co-captain Julie Cross contacted Team IMPACT last spring and the Orange were matched with Maddy in November. The student-athletes met their new teammate in mid-December.

"She just lit up the room the minute she walked in," Cross said of their first meeting in the Syracuse locker room. "She comes in with a huge smile on her face and the energy she and her family brought into the room were incredible."

Team IMPACT is headquartered in Boston and its mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing serious and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Through Team IMPACT's program, Maddy will attend Syracuse practices, games, team dinners, events and more. She also has her own locker in the squad's locker room in Manley Field House.

While Team IMPACT's program is set up for the student-athletes to help their young teammate, Cross knows that the members of the Orange will also benefit from the program.

"Being with Maddy and seeing her struggle with her ups and downs will not only touch us as a team, but each of us individually as well."

Syracuse University Athletics

Orange Welcome Newest Teammate Through Team Impact

Players Mentioned

Julie Cross

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