Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Denson becomes youngest Raider
11/7/2014 12:27:00 AM | Baseball
9-year-old 'signs' with MT Baseball
MURFREESBORO – Luke Denson became the youngest player ever to sign with Middle Tennessee's baseball team when he inked a national letter of intent during a press conference at the Kennon Hall of Fame Building Thursday.
Denson, a 9-year-old who attends Erma Siegel Elementary, was well received by his new Blue Raider teammates who, along with coaches, attended the press conference. Athletic department employees were also on hand for the special event.
After signing his NIL, Denson was in the spotlight as Blue Raider Head Coach Jim McGuire and Director of Athletics Chris Massaro presented him with a Blue Raider jersey and a MT baseball cap.
Denson beamed as he proudly stood between Massaro and McGuire seemingly soaking in the moment as photographers captured the moment amidst a rousing ovation.
The youngster appeared as excited as any high school player on National Signing Day, and with good reason.
Denson was united with Middle Tennessee baseball through Team Impact, a Boston-based nonprofit organization. He suffers from Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), a rare congenital disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities and short stature.
"He is a motivation to me," said Blue Raider senior Jake Ingold. "We are all excited to have Luke with our team. He is a Blue Raider."
McGuire said he was contacted by Team Impact regarding Denson.
"Luke lived here and Team Impact contacted me about him and everyone here was excited to get on board," McGuire said. "Luke will be at our practices and games and other events. He will be around the team a lot and it really is a win-win situation for all of us. Luke is an inspiration to us."
Denson became an official member of the Blue Raiders from his signing day through graduation. He will attend practices, games and social events while forming unparalleled relationships with the student-athletes and coaching staff.
Luke's mother, Honey, said the pairing with Middle Tennessee baseball has been a blessing for the family.
"I believe this is something that benefits all of us," Honey said. "This can help Luke gain self-confidence and just being accepted. He loves it and the (players) have received him well. He really likes the team."
It was refreshing to see players genuinely sharing conversation with young Luke during a post-press conference pizza party. He was one of the guys, sitting around and sharing stories.
That was until Luke realized another side of athletics – the media.
Media members were lined up to talk to the Blue Raiders' newest member and he obliged. Luke honored all media requests donning his Blue Raider gear.
About Luke Denson:
Luke loves to draw and work with electronics. He even helps teachers fix their projectors at school. He also loves to swim and ride his bike. Luke's favorite meal is breakfast, and he loves pizza and chocolate. He lives watching Pokemon and Garfield, and he enjoys playing Minecraft, Legend of Zelda and MarioKart. His favorite color is blue, and his favorite subject is math. Luke also loves cars. He loves to read about cars, draw pictures of cars, and watch car videos on YouTube.
About Team Impact:
Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to expanded team-based support networks in order to significantly enhance their quality of life and to fill their lives with more love and laughter. Team IMPACT also strives to provide team-based organizations everywhere an easy and efficient way to have a powerful impact on the lives of children in their community. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 500 children with collegiate teams, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 10,000 student athletes. For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.
Denson, a 9-year-old who attends Erma Siegel Elementary, was well received by his new Blue Raider teammates who, along with coaches, attended the press conference. Athletic department employees were also on hand for the special event.
After signing his NIL, Denson was in the spotlight as Blue Raider Head Coach Jim McGuire and Director of Athletics Chris Massaro presented him with a Blue Raider jersey and a MT baseball cap.
Denson beamed as he proudly stood between Massaro and McGuire seemingly soaking in the moment as photographers captured the moment amidst a rousing ovation.
The youngster appeared as excited as any high school player on National Signing Day, and with good reason.
Denson was united with Middle Tennessee baseball through Team Impact, a Boston-based nonprofit organization. He suffers from Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), a rare congenital disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities and short stature.
"He is a motivation to me," said Blue Raider senior Jake Ingold. "We are all excited to have Luke with our team. He is a Blue Raider."
McGuire said he was contacted by Team Impact regarding Denson.
"Luke lived here and Team Impact contacted me about him and everyone here was excited to get on board," McGuire said. "Luke will be at our practices and games and other events. He will be around the team a lot and it really is a win-win situation for all of us. Luke is an inspiration to us."
Denson became an official member of the Blue Raiders from his signing day through graduation. He will attend practices, games and social events while forming unparalleled relationships with the student-athletes and coaching staff.
Luke's mother, Honey, said the pairing with Middle Tennessee baseball has been a blessing for the family.
"I believe this is something that benefits all of us," Honey said. "This can help Luke gain self-confidence and just being accepted. He loves it and the (players) have received him well. He really likes the team."
It was refreshing to see players genuinely sharing conversation with young Luke during a post-press conference pizza party. He was one of the guys, sitting around and sharing stories.
That was until Luke realized another side of athletics – the media.
Media members were lined up to talk to the Blue Raiders' newest member and he obliged. Luke honored all media requests donning his Blue Raider gear.
About Luke Denson:
Luke loves to draw and work with electronics. He even helps teachers fix their projectors at school. He also loves to swim and ride his bike. Luke's favorite meal is breakfast, and he loves pizza and chocolate. He lives watching Pokemon and Garfield, and he enjoys playing Minecraft, Legend of Zelda and MarioKart. His favorite color is blue, and his favorite subject is math. Luke also loves cars. He loves to read about cars, draw pictures of cars, and watch car videos on YouTube.
About Team Impact:
Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to expanded team-based support networks in order to significantly enhance their quality of life and to fill their lives with more love and laughter. Team IMPACT also strives to provide team-based organizations everywhere an easy and efficient way to have a powerful impact on the lives of children in their community. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 500 children with collegiate teams, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 10,000 student athletes. For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.
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