Love of the Game

This team won the First Place award in the Significant Social Impact category. They won $4,000. Team members include  Jessica Dion (Junior, Exercise Physiology), Dylan Doucette (Junior, Exercise Physiology), Lucas Parsons (Junior, Exercise Physiology), Jennie Pisarik (Junior, Exercise Physiology), Rachel Silk (Junior, Business Marketing), and Daniel Schmith (Freshman, Business Entrepreneurship).

Love of the Game is a community outreach program aiming to integrate universities and people with physical and cognitive disabilities through sports activities. Dan started a program similar to this at his high school in Bellingham and wanted to bring it to colleges since the turnout was amazing. If you want to check out how Dan implemented this project at Bellingham High School, please see the following video.

The team plans to run various clinics, leagues, and tournaments on campus at UMass Lowell’s athletic facilities throughout the year. They have talked with the Recreation Center and UMass Lowell’s varsity and club athletes who will play critical leadership roles as they will work closely with participants to teach them how to play sports. Their presence along with the location emulates the college athletic experience like never before.  Additionally, the team has already partnered with the following:

• Best Buddies

• Kids In Disability Sports

• RaRa of Greater Lowell

• Ironstone Farms

• Campus Recreation Center at UML

• New England Paralyzed Veterans Association

• Brockton VA