Lehr signed her NLI with the Gators on Friday evening. (Photo by Lexi Turner)
Florida Women’s Basketball Signs Emma Lehr Through Team IMPACT
Friday, November 4, 2022 | Women's Basketball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida Women's Basketball Head Coach Kelly Rae Finley announced a new team member, signing 11-year-old Emma Lehr through Team IMPACT.
Emma, who has Type 1 Diabetes, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Friday, November 4th at the Florida Basketball Practice Facility. She will participate in many activities over the next two years, including games, practices, and other team-building events.
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.
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Emma officially join the Gators," said Lynn LaRocca, High Profile Program Manager at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside the University of Florida, the Women's Basketball team and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and Emma."
The University of Florida has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 4 years, previously matching men's basketball and men's golf, with additional teams on the waitlist for their very own Team IMPACT teammate.
"We are very excited to have Emma join our basketball family," said Finley. "Emma and I connected right away as we both love Hawaii and Reese's! Her joy, passion and excitement for life is an inspiration to our team. We are looking forward to the season ahead."
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. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For the University of Florida: Andrew Hile, AndrewH@gators.ufl.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo, kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
- #GoGators -
Emma, who has Type 1 Diabetes, was officially introduced at a signing day press conference on Friday, November 4th at the Florida Basketball Practice Facility. She will participate in many activities over the next two years, including games, practices, and other team-building events.
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.
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Emma officially join the Gators," said Lynn LaRocca, High Profile Program Manager at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside the University of Florida, the Women's Basketball team and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and Emma."
The University of Florida has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 4 years, previously matching men's basketball and men's golf, with additional teams on the waitlist for their very own Team IMPACT teammate.
"We are very excited to have Emma join our basketball family," said Finley. "Emma and I connected right away as we both love Hawaii and Reese's! Her joy, passion and excitement for life is an inspiration to our team. We are looking forward to the season ahead."
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. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For the University of Florida: Andrew Hile, AndrewH@gators.ufl.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo, kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
- #GoGators -
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