Michigan basketball teams up with Team IMPACT

Michigan basketball is joining forces with Team IMPACT to make a difference in a local boy’s life. Later this evening, Jude Stamper, a 12-year-old from Monroe, will be signing an NLI with Michigan. Team IMPACT is a nonprofit that pairs children with life-threatening or chronic illnesses with collegiate teams.

From the University release:

Children are "drafted" onto local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to graduation. During that time they attend practices, games and social events while forming unparalleled relationships with the student-athletes and coaching staffs.

The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team, from Draft Day to graduation. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage and resiliency they cannot learn in a classroom.

Stamper was born with Arthrogryposis Multi-Congenital disorder with Escobar Syndrome, which prevents him from being able to bend his joints - like his knees, ankles, hips, etc. He has undergone 10 surgeries at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in his life, and has been a fan of the Wolverines for quite some time.

Throughout the evening, some individuals with connections to the University of Michigan have posted messages on Twitter welcoming Stamper to the team.

Sports personality and Michigan Man Rich Eisen got the ball rolling shortly before 6:00 p.m. by posting a message and photo wherein he’s wearing a Team IMPACT bowtie. Eisen attended Michigan for undergrad and served as an honorary captain for last year’s football game against UCF.

A short time later, Congressman John Dingell got into the act, also posting a welcome message while wearing a Team IMPACT bowtie. Dingell represented portions of SE Michigan for nearly 60 years in Congress, including Ann Arbor. In retirement, Dingell has been a vocal fan of Detroit sports and the University of Michigan.

When he signs his NLI, Stamper will join three other children who have been paired with Michigan teams through Team IMPACT - Larry Prout (football), Brendan Randolph (men’s lacrosse), and Aiden Hansen (men’s soccer).

For more on Team IMPACT and Jude Stamper, check out the University release.