Even with the beginning of the 2013-2014 regular season just days away, the Fordham women's basketball program took time out of its schedule to welcome a new member of the family through Team IMPACT.
 
The Rams held a press conference on Sunday morning for Imani Simon, a five-year-old girl from Yonkers, N.Y., with an incurable blood disorder that has caused her tremendous pain and suffering over the course of her young life.  During this press conference, Coach Gaitley signed Imani to an "official" letter of intent, making the youngster a certified member of the Rams squad.
 
Throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, Team IMPACT works to match collegiate athletic teams and children with life-threatening or chronic illnesses.  In this reciprocal relationship, the child in question benefits from an extended support network of new teammates and friend, while the student athletes draw continued inspiration from the intrepid spirit of the youngster.
 
The women's basketball team is not the first Fordham program to welcome a child through Team IMPACT.  In January, softball welcomed 14-year-old Gloria Mateo to their squad.