COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus College men's soccer team will officially add a superstar recruit on Thursday with the Draft Day signing of six-year-old Michael Mathis.
Mathis, who goes by "Mikey," joins the Bears family from Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since its inception, the organization has created relationships that have enhanced the lives of thousands of courageous children and touched the lives of tens of thousands of student-athletes across the country through the ability to come together, serve the community, and support each and every member of the team through adversity both on and off the playing surface.
A fun-loving kid who loves making new friends and making jokes, Mikey lives in Royersford with his mom, Ashley. He has been bravely battling cystic fibrosis his whole life. This pulmonary disease involves many levels of daily treatment, and he goes through it all with a smile. By sponsoring Draft Days of children with CF, Vertex Pharmaceuticals helps spread awareness of the disease and the positive lifelong effects Team IMPACT has on these children.
Through the support of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, children who have CF, like Mikey, are drafted onto local college athletic teams and become an official member of the program to support the child's physical, social, and emotional needs. By being a part of the Ursinus College men's soccer program, Michael will attend Bears practices, games, team dinners, events and more.
Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,800 children with more than 600 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 55,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team – from Draft Day to Graduation. During the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie, and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom. Mikey's determination to persevere through adversity has already made him an inspiration to his future Bears teammates.
More About Mikey
What ONE word do you think best describes you? Fast
What super power would you want to have? Hulk Smash
Dream vacation destination? Any beach!
Favorite Movie: The Lion King
Favorite Food: Pizza and Cheeseburgers
Favorite Athletes/Idol: My mom!
Favorite Quote: Hakuna Matata