Cal Poly Humboldt Men's Soccer team holds signing ceremony for member of Team IMPACT

EUREKA, Calif. — The Cal Poly Humboldt Men's Soccer team held a signing ceremony for the newest member of their team through a partnership with a national non-profit.

Leo Dixon is a member of Team IMPACT, an organization that connects kids facing serious illnesses and disabilities with a college sports program. The team presented Leo with his letter of intent on Sunday inside Lumberjack Arena.

The following is a press release from Cal Poly Humboldt Men's Soccer:

This past Sunday afternoon in Lumberjack Arena on the campus of Cal Poly Humboldt, the Lumberjack men's soccer team held the official signing ceremony of Team IMPACT's Leo Dixon. Humboldt head men's soccer coach Fred Jungemann presented Dixon with his letter of intent to be a member of the Jacks' men's soccer team.

"Leo has been a pleasure to have around and it has been great getting to know him and his family," noted senior defender Sean Tucker. "Whenever Leo comes around the team, he always seems to impact our practices and games in a timely manner. He has a great attitude and is always full of joy which fits well within our team. Although he is young, Leo has taught us all lessons of strength and maintaining a positive attitude no matter the circumstances. He embodies everything you would want in a Lumberjack. Leo is a part of our family now and forever."

Presiding over the ceremony was Cal Poly Humboldt Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Campus Recreation, Cooper Jones. Joining the Trinidad, Calif., native at the table were his parents Todd and Karen Dixon with his brothers Jack and Max along with Cal Poly Humboldt Head Men's Soccer Coach Fred Jungemann and Jack junior defender Cole Falco.

"Leo is such an inspiration for us all, whenever we are doing something tough, we can look at Leo to give us some perspective which allows us to make it through anything," said Falco.

Amongst the people in attendance were the members of the 2022 Cal Poly Humboldt Men's Soccer Team. The Jacks will return to the pitch this weekend with a pair of non-conference matches in Hawai'i against Hawai'i Pacific (Sept. 1, 7pm-HT) and Hawai'i Hilo (Sept. 4, 11am-HT). Humboldt will return home on Wednesday, September 7 at 3pm when the Jacks face Simpson University.

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.