James Strack Signs with Baseball on Team IMPACT Signing Day
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) baseball team officially welcomed its newest teammate on Wednesday evening. The Spartans signed James Strack, through Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges, Together) in a ceremony inside the UNCG Baseball Fieldhouse.
James is an eighth grader at Summerfield Charter Academy and was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy shortly after birth. He recently celebrated his 14th birthday in March. James loves spending time playing video games or watching anime when he isn’t at the field cheering on the Spartan baseball team.
At the signing day event, James was surrounded by the whole Spartan team, as well as his mother Laura, one of his two sisters, and his grandfather and grandmother. James also has a younger brother and sister who was not in attendance.
“I want to thank Team IMPACT for helping us connect James and our team and for him to have the chance to become a Spartan,” stated Head Coach Billy Godwin. “He will be a great addition to the program and we look forward to winning many games in your presence. We are all-around excited for him to be a part of the program.”
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.
Helping acclimate to his new team are team advocates senior Zack Budzik, senior Dallas Callahan, redshirt junior Mitchell Smith, redshirt freshman Luke Jenkins, sophomore Hunter Shuey, and sophomore Kennedy Jones.
“We are fired up to have James join our team,” said Budzik. “He brings energy to every game, and we love having him in the dugout. James reminds us that the game is bigger than us.”
“We are happy to have you,” mentioned Callahan. “We are excited. It’s a brotherhood, it’s a family. We are ready to welcome you to it.”
James signed his name on the letter of intent, told the team good luck as they travel to VMI this weekend, and received a gold UNCG jersey in honor of his special day and joining the Spartan family.
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 more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes.
Courtesy of Kelly Couse
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro