Pat Kenney
Staff Writer
The Springfield College football team got paired with Luke Bradley as part of the Team IMPACT program.
Standing at about four feet and weighing in around 60 pounds, quarterback Luke Bradley will be a force to reckon with for the Pride next season.
Bradley, born and raised in South Hadley, Mass., became the first player in SC history to sign his letter of intent to play football last Thursday night, April 25.
Paired with the Team IMPACT program, the Springfield College Football team welcomed Luke Bradley and his family into the SC football community with open arms and bright smiles.
“I am excited,” said Bradley, after his historic signing. “When everyone cheered for me, it made me feel good.”
Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in February 2011, Bradley, now 8-years-old, has started his third year of treatment, which includes many rounds of chemotherapy.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells that is most commonly found in children ages 10 and younger. ALL causes damage to the body by crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow, and by spreading the cancerous ones.
“It has been an experience that has grown and shaped us. Personally, my faith has never meant so much as it does now. It literally carried me through the first year” stated Luke’s father, Ryan Bradley.
Springfield College couldn’t have been a better match up for Luke as his mom graduated form SC and his favorite wrestler, John Cena, is a SC alum as well.
“The support of this team will have a very positive impact on Luke and our guys,” said head football coach Mike Delong, “We were fortunate enough to be selected by Team IMPACT.”
Team IMPACT’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children with chronic or life threatening illnesses. The program pairs children up with athletic teams to provide them with team-based support networks, in doing so the team then becomes the child’s support system.
Based in the Northeast, Team IMPACT services children, like Luke Bradley, from New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and matches them up with college athletic programs.
Luke, who hasn’t been able to play sports for his school due to his illness, and his two brothers, arrived on campus last week with huge smiles and enthusiasm as members of the team met them and escorted them throughout campus.
“I could see his confidence come back, it was quite emotional for us to see him feel important in an athletic environment,” said Ryan Bradley.
Luke Bradley, who will be wearing number 27 next year, says he is excited to start the season and can not wait to be on that sideline with the rest of the Pride players.
Luke may not play in the games but one thing is certain, his impact will be felt throughout the stadium.
Standing at about four feet and weighing in around 60 pounds, quarterback Luke Bradley will be a force to reckon with for the Pride next season.
Bradley, born and raised in South Hadley, Mass., became the first player in SC history to sign his letter of intent to play football last Thursday night, April 25.
Paired with the Team IMPACT program, the Springfield College Football team welcomed Luke Bradley and his family into the SC football community with open arms and bright smiles.
“I am excited,” said Bradley, after his historic signing. “When everyone cheered for me, it made me feel good.”
Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in February 2011, Bradley, now 8-years-old, has started his third year of treatment, which includes many rounds of chemotherapy.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells that is most commonly found in children ages 10 and younger. ALL causes damage to the body by crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow, and by spreading the cancerous ones.
“It has been an experience that has grown and shaped us. Personally, my faith has never meant so much as it does now. It literally carried me through the first year” stated Luke’s father, Ryan Bradley.
Springfield College couldn’t have been a better match up for Luke as his mom graduated form SC and his favorite wrestler, John Cena, is a SC alum as well.
“The support of this team will have a very positive impact on Luke and our guys,” said head football coach Mike Delong, “We were fortunate enough to be selected by Team IMPACT.”
Team IMPACT’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children with chronic or life threatening illnesses. The program pairs children up with athletic teams to provide them with team-based support networks, in doing so the team then becomes the child’s support system.
Based in the Northeast, Team IMPACT services children, like Luke Bradley, from New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and matches them up with college athletic programs.
Luke, who hasn’t been able to play sports for his school due to his illness, and his two brothers, arrived on campus last week with huge smiles and enthusiasm as members of the team met them and escorted them throughout campus.
“I could see his confidence come back, it was quite emotional for us to see him feel important in an athletic environment,” said Ryan Bradley.
Luke Bradley, who will be wearing number 27 next year, says he is excited to start the season and can not wait to be on that sideline with the rest of the Pride players.
Luke may not play in the games but one thing is certain, his impact will be felt throughout the stadium.