UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – While Penn State Women's Lacrosse had a successful start to the 2020 season, it may be what the Nittany Lions did off the field that is gaining the most notoriety.
On February 26, Penn State introduced Abby Marinaro as its Team IMPACT athlete in a special ceremony at Beaver Stadium. Team Impact is an organization that connects children with serious or chronic illness to college teams for a supportive environment. Marinaro, 10, is from Lititz, Pa. and has cystic fibrosis.
When asked what team she wanted to connect with, Abby was quick to say Penn State women's lacrosse. The Nittany Lions were extremely excited to get to team up with Abby and make a positive impact on her.
"We're so pumped to be working with Abby and her family," Penn State head coach Missy Doherty said. "It's an amazing experience for all the parties involved. Our players see how much of an impact they are making on someone and she feels the impact she is making on us which is a pretty powerful thing."
Being a part of Team IMPACT is something that means a lot to the players on Penn State. It gives them an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
When the program partnered with Team IMPACT, a leadership team was created. The leadership group consisted of one player from each class: senior Yasmain Hamood, junior Kate Love, sophomore Lauren Craft and freshman Meghan Murray. As the team interacted with Abby, she was naturally drawn to senior Madison Carter and sophomore Taylor Suplee.
"Being involved with Team IMPACT is awesome," Craft said. "Not only are we able to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, but we are able to realize how fortunate we really are. We can learn how to unite and uplift children like Abby, who is a special girl."
Craft is very excited to have Abby join the Penn State family and is glad Penn State can work with the Marinaro family. She added how incredible of family they are.
Craft and her fellow teammates have had a really fun time engaging with Abby in many fun activities. Doherty noted the bonds have included Tik Tok dances and many more of the social media trends and both parties are really enjoying it.
Doherty talked about how Abby is an inspiration for Penn State. She had been following the Nittany Lions for a few years and was excited to meet Carter, her favorite player, and the whole team.
"Abby was a driving force in meeting up with our team and we couldn't be happier to have her a part of it," Doherty said.
Craft adds how much it has meant to her and her teammates to have Abby around them. The impact Marinaro has had is something that can be spread to so many people outside of Penn State lacrosse.
"I hope Abby knows the strength she has and that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to," Craft said. "She has the power to impact so many people and move individuals by her incredible fortitude and courage."
Penn State will always stand behind her and Abby is a huge inspiration to the entire team. Being involved in Team IMPACT shows that everyone is in this for something bigger than just what they do on the field.
In Doherty's time at Penn State, she has never had to question the character of any of her student athletes, saying that what the team has done with Team IMPACT represents that clearly.
"Ever since I've been here, we've gotten awesome student athletes from a character standpoint," Doherty said. "They've always been great at reaching out and reaching out into the community and making an impact off the field."
Something like this helps put everything into perspective. Players will be student-athletes for only four-to-five years, but the impact they have off the field will teach them lessons for the rest of their lives.
Craft put all of that into perspective and cites having Abby around helps with that. It shows there are bigger things in life than playing lacrosse. For Penn State, it is showing compassion and spreading love is what really matters.
"At the end of our college careers, we will hang up our cleats and the game will come to an end," Craft said. "Life is all about the love you spread and how you treat the world around you. How we leave our legacy is something we should strive to do."
Team IMPACT has presented countless opportunities over the years for teams to make a difference. Penn State recognizes how special of an organization it is and the impact it can have on so many families. Most of all, it shows the good of humanity and the amazing things that can be done to make an impact.
