Gymnastics Signs Caroline Friedman through Team IMPACT
1/31/2020 6:53:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University gymnastics has officially signed Caroline Friedman, a 16-year-old from Barrington, R.I., who is battling pulmonary hypertension and a heart condition, to its roster through a Team IMPACT "Draft Day" Ceremony, the Bears announced on Friday night.
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As part of a ceremony in the Pizzitola Sports Center's gymnastics practice room, Caroline signed an official Letter of Intent before her family and friends and received authentic team gear from the Bears.
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"We feel so lucky to have Caroline join our team," Brown head coach Sara Carver-Milne said. "She made an immediate impact on our student-athletes with her enthusiasm and kindness. She will be a big asset to our team in many ways, as she has taught us a lot about appreciation for this opportunity we all have here at Brown University. We have enjoyed having her at our practices, meets and team get-togethers and look forward to the positive effect she will continue to have on our team."
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Caroline – along with her mother and sister – attended the Bears' annual mock meet in November in addition to the team's home opener on January 26 and has loved getting to know the coaches and student-athletes on the team, while also expanding her knowledge of the sport. At Brown's next home meet on February 9, Caroline is set to march out with the Bears during team introductions.
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"We are very excited and honored to welcome Caroline to our team," Brown senior captain Erin Howell said. "The first time we met Caroline, she immediately connected with us. She loves our sport and is already so supportive to each and every one of us, even sitting front and center at our first home meet last weekend. Her smile brightens our gym and adds so much positivity and love to Brown gymnastics."
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Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit that connects children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with the support system of a college sports team. Through Team IMPACT children like Caroline are drafted onto local college athletic teams and become an official member of the team to support the child's physical, social, and emotional needs. By being a part of the gymnastics program, Caroline will attend Bears' practices, games, team dinners, events, and more.
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"The Friedman family's kindness and support adds another dimension of gratitude to each of the members of this team, from athletes to coaches to administrators," Howell said. "We are thrilled to have Caroline and the Friedman family as our newest members of our Brown Gymnastics family."
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Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,000 children with more than 700 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 55,000 participating student-athletes.
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As part of a ceremony in the Pizzitola Sports Center's gymnastics practice room, Caroline signed an official Letter of Intent before her family and friends and received authentic team gear from the Bears.
Â
"We feel so lucky to have Caroline join our team," Brown head coach Sara Carver-Milne said. "She made an immediate impact on our student-athletes with her enthusiasm and kindness. She will be a big asset to our team in many ways, as she has taught us a lot about appreciation for this opportunity we all have here at Brown University. We have enjoyed having her at our practices, meets and team get-togethers and look forward to the positive effect she will continue to have on our team."
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Caroline – along with her mother and sister – attended the Bears' annual mock meet in November in addition to the team's home opener on January 26 and has loved getting to know the coaches and student-athletes on the team, while also expanding her knowledge of the sport. At Brown's next home meet on February 9, Caroline is set to march out with the Bears during team introductions.
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"We are very excited and honored to welcome Caroline to our team," Brown senior captain Erin Howell said. "The first time we met Caroline, she immediately connected with us. She loves our sport and is already so supportive to each and every one of us, even sitting front and center at our first home meet last weekend. Her smile brightens our gym and adds so much positivity and love to Brown gymnastics."
Â
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit that connects children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with the support system of a college sports team. Through Team IMPACT children like Caroline are drafted onto local college athletic teams and become an official member of the team to support the child's physical, social, and emotional needs. By being a part of the gymnastics program, Caroline will attend Bears' practices, games, team dinners, events, and more.
Â
"The Friedman family's kindness and support adds another dimension of gratitude to each of the members of this team, from athletes to coaches to administrators," Howell said. "We are thrilled to have Caroline and the Friedman family as our newest members of our Brown Gymnastics family."
Â
Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,000 children with more than 700 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 55,000 participating student-athletes.
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