MEN'S LACROSSE TAKES PRIDE IN WELCOMING NEWEST TEAM MEMBER

WESTON, Mass.-On Friday afternoon, the Regis College men's lacrosse program officially welcomed Sean Lambert as its newest team member.

Lambert, who will join the Pride on their sidelines this season, is a 12 year-old boy from Milford, MA.  At the age of two Sean was diagnosed with severe hypotonia, a disorder that causes low muscle tone, often involving low muscle strength and as a result has had surgery to insert bi-lateral hip screws to fix his dislocated hips.  He has six herniated discs in his back and while also battling scoliosis. 

"We are so thrilled to welcome Sean and the Lambert family to the Regis College Men's Lacrosse program," head coach Josh Blumenthal said. "Partnering with Sean is a connection which we are quite thankful for and one that we will only continue to cultivate."

When not in school or taking part in lacrosse team activities, the sixth grader actively participates in Special Olympics in both soccer and basketball.

The match between Sean and Regis College came about from the work of Team IMPACT, a new nonprofit organization based in Quincy, MA that matches kids with life-threatening diseases with college sports teams.  In the face of potentially devastating loss, Team IMPACT seeks to be the ultimate win-win.

Taking the lead on this new found friendship are junior team members and Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) representatives Stephan Bottex and Brody McCauley.  The two serve as Regis College's school ambassadors to Team IMPACT.

"Stephan and Brody have been our workhorses with community service this year," Blumenthal stated. "Both young men have taken on a venture that not only benefits themselves and the team but the entire College community."

Sean, along with his family were officially welcomed to the team during a draft party where the team had a chance to greet Sean and present him with his official men's lacrosse apparel, a signed team ball and his own personal lacrosse stick.

"We look forward to including Sean is as many activities as his schedule allows and consider ourselves fortunate to have him and the Lambert family take part in our season," Blumenthal added.

Regis College joins the rapidly growing list of Team IMPACT school partners that among others include, Boston College men's basketball, Tufts University women's soccer and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell softball and men's ice hockey teams.