COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College women's basketball team is proud to announce the addition of 6-year-old Hazel Olah of Grand Isle to its roster through Team IMPACT. Hazel, who joined the team in October, will be introduced on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Tarrant Recreation Center's Varsity Media Room.
 
Team IMPACT is a national non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for children facing chronic or life-threatening illness through the power of team. Hazel, who has already become a familiar face in the Ross Sports Center at practices and games, manages Joubert Syndrome, an immune system defect, and laryngeal cleft.
 
"We are beyond excited to have Hazel join our women's basketball family, as she has already brought so much joy and energy to the team," said head coach Shannon Bollhardt. "She has been on the bench cheering us on at games while also teaching us all there is to know about Legos and crafting! We are incredibly lucky to have her with us - she has been on such a journey herself, so having the opportunity to draw from her resilience while also offering her a space to grow alongside all of us is something very special. We are lucky that she chose us!"
 
Team IMPACT 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.
 
Saint Michael's is a long-time partner of Team IMPACT, joining many Northeast-10 Conference counterparts in its involvement, as the baseball, men's basketball, field hockey, men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball, and men's and women's swimming & diving programs have welcomed Team IMPACT teammates in the past 13 years. Women's basketball joins baseball (Max Speier), women's soccer (Mariella Desjardin) and softball (Katie Guy) in currently having a Team IMPACT teammate. For more information about Team IMPACT, visit goteamimpact.org.