Men's Basketball Signs 16-Year-Old Elijah Clinton to Program
12/9/2021 5:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GW welcomes Elijah at Team IMPACT Signing Day ceremony
WASHINGTON – The George Washington University Athletic Department has announced the signing of the newest member of their men's basketball team, 16-year-old Elijah Clinton. Elijah comes to George Washington through Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing serious illnesses and disabilities through the power of a team.
"We couldn't be happier to welcome Elijah to our program," said GW men's basketball head coach Jamion Christian. "What a special young man he is. The energy he brings to life every day is palpable, and you can already see the effect this relationship has had on our young men. We look forward to having Elijah as a member of our team moving forward and are grateful for this partnership with Team IMPACT."
Elijah officially signed his letter of intent on Friday night in a signing ceremony at the Tin Tabernacle Club at the Charles E. Smith Center. Elijah was joined by over 30 family members, the entire men's basketball program and members of the GW Athletic Department. Elijah is the third Team IMPACT teammate to partner with a GW team, joining 12-year-old Mikaylah with the women's basketball team and 9-year-old Gianna with the volleyball program.
"By signing Elijah, the George Washington men's basketball team has set an example that is bigger than basketball," said Josh Walker, Executive Director - Mid-Atlantic, Team IMPACT. "Not only are they welcoming an exceptional young man into their program, but they are making the statement that college sports are about more than wins and losses. Over the next two years, their relationship with Elijah will teach them empathy, grit, and resilience, and more importantly, they will give Elijah's family the comfort of knowing they will not have to face the challenges of his cerebral palsy alone.
"We are grateful to Coach Christian, Tanya Vogel, and the entire George Washington Athletic Department for creating a culture of empathy and inclusion. Team IMPACT is actively seeking pediatric patients from the DC area for our program, and we look forward to adding more children to Colonials teams in the future."
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT is the only U.S. nonprofit that tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious illnesses and disabilities by matching them with a college athletic team. Our two-year therapeutic program complements a child's medical treatments, allowing the child to develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.
Through participation in Team IMPACT's clinically informed program, children experience a true sense of belonging, resulting in increased empowerment, normalization, health promotion, and resilience. Families feel connected and supported as their child achieves individualized goals, while experiencing the joy of team camaraderie and inclusion; and student-athletes gain perspective and inspiration, as well as lessons in adversity and resilience.
Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 65,000 student-athletes. Team IMPACT has more than 1,200 teams across the country waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a serious illness or disability and could benefit from becoming a member of the team. To learn more, or if you know a child who may be interested, get in the game at www.teamimpact.org and @goteamimpact .
"We couldn't be happier to welcome Elijah to our program," said GW men's basketball head coach Jamion Christian. "What a special young man he is. The energy he brings to life every day is palpable, and you can already see the effect this relationship has had on our young men. We look forward to having Elijah as a member of our team moving forward and are grateful for this partnership with Team IMPACT."
Elijah officially signed his letter of intent on Friday night in a signing ceremony at the Tin Tabernacle Club at the Charles E. Smith Center. Elijah was joined by over 30 family members, the entire men's basketball program and members of the GW Athletic Department. Elijah is the third Team IMPACT teammate to partner with a GW team, joining 12-year-old Mikaylah with the women's basketball team and 9-year-old Gianna with the volleyball program.
"By signing Elijah, the George Washington men's basketball team has set an example that is bigger than basketball," said Josh Walker, Executive Director - Mid-Atlantic, Team IMPACT. "Not only are they welcoming an exceptional young man into their program, but they are making the statement that college sports are about more than wins and losses. Over the next two years, their relationship with Elijah will teach them empathy, grit, and resilience, and more importantly, they will give Elijah's family the comfort of knowing they will not have to face the challenges of his cerebral palsy alone.
"We are grateful to Coach Christian, Tanya Vogel, and the entire George Washington Athletic Department for creating a culture of empathy and inclusion. Team IMPACT is actively seeking pediatric patients from the DC area for our program, and we look forward to adding more children to Colonials teams in the future."
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT is the only U.S. nonprofit that tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious illnesses and disabilities by matching them with a college athletic team. Our two-year therapeutic program complements a child's medical treatments, allowing the child to develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.
Through participation in Team IMPACT's clinically informed program, children experience a true sense of belonging, resulting in increased empowerment, normalization, health promotion, and resilience. Families feel connected and supported as their child achieves individualized goals, while experiencing the joy of team camaraderie and inclusion; and student-athletes gain perspective and inspiration, as well as lessons in adversity and resilience.
Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 65,000 student-athletes. Team IMPACT has more than 1,200 teams across the country waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a serious illness or disability and could benefit from becoming a member of the team. To learn more, or if you know a child who may be interested, get in the game at www.teamimpact.org and @
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