LOGAN, Utah — Working through Team IMPACT, Utah State football welcomed a new team member at today’s practice in 5-year-old Simon Hveem (pronounced veem).
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Simon as our newest Aggie commit and the entire Hveem Family into the Utah State football program,” said interim head coach Nate Dreiling. “Team IMPACT provides an opportunity to allow kids like Simon to gain an entire team to help in their fight with cancer, and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of his journey. While we will strive to make it amazing for Simon, we can’t discount the enormous impact he will have on our student-athletes and program. We are excited to welcome Simon and his family with open arms and look forward to Aggie Nation doing the same!”
Simon lives with his parents, Rachel and Joshua, and three siblings in Wellsville, Utah, and was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier this year and has been undergoing chemotherapy since. On Wednesday, Simon was introduced to the team and was given his own jersey during the post-practice huddle. Simon will continue to be a part of the Utah State football team, including participating in the team’s national signing day in December.
“It means a lot to us,” Simon’s mother, Rachel, said. “Right as Simon was getting diagnosed, he was supposed to play soccer. That was something he was immediately told he couldn’t do and that was really hard for him, and for me, because I was going to be his coach. To be part of a team means a lot. He’s waited several months for this and he’s been so excited to be a part of this and it feels really good to be a part of this team.”
Team Impact, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multi-year program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT’s unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
