PHILADELPHIA – On Saturday in The Palestra, the University of Pennsylvania men's and women's basketball teams signed the newest members of their programs for the start of the 2021-22 campaign, bringing on Jacob Orlick and Sophia Diamond through Team IMPACT.
 
Team IMPACT is a Boston-based nonprofit "whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing serious and chronic illnesses through the power of team." It is a two-year therapeutic program that helps the new teammates experience improved and increased resilience, empowerment, and sense of belonging.
 
Sophia Diamond is 11 years old from Bryn Mawr who lives with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory condition that causes abdominal pain and difficulty absorbing nutrients. Sophia has faced her diagnosis head-on, overcoming flares and keeping on top of medication routines and home infusions with the help of her parents. She is extremely bright, loves to learn, and has played basketball in her local recreation league for years.
 
"We are so excited to welcome Sophia and her parents, Tracy and Josh, into our Penn Women's Basketball family," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Mike McLaughlin. "Sophia is a true inspiration to our team, and I know that our players will serve as terrific role models and mentors to her. Team IMPACT is a wonderful organization, and I am grateful to them for connecting us with the Diamond family. We look forward to growing together with them on this new journey!"
 
"I know I speak for everyone on Penn women's basketball when I say we are beyond excited to have Sophia on our team," continued junior Faye Parker. "We are so grateful Team IMPACT has given us the opportunity to get to know Sophia and her amazing family, and we cannot wait to make more memories with her! I take great pleasure in welcoming Sophia, officially, to the women's basketball family! We can't wait for the year to come and are lucky to have Sophia with us for it."
 
Jacob Orlick is 13 years old from Drescher, Pennsylvania who was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in 2019, and has since persevered through difficult treatment, surgeries, and a difficult leg amputation. Despite these medical challenges, Jacob has remained a strong-willed, motivated, and caring young man. He is a great big brother to his sisters, and cares deeply about everyone around him. He loves basketball and will a great addition to the Quakers.
 
"We are thrilled to have Jacob and his family join our program this season," said Penn's John R. Rockwell Head Coach of Men's Basketball, Steve Donahue. "This is the second time we have paired with Team IMPACT here at Penn and it's my third time, and it never ceases to amaze me how strong the relationships become between our athletes and their team IMPACT teammates. Jacob is a tough kid who can teach our guys a lot about perseverance and positivity. On the floor, while we already have three other left-handers on the team I think he might be our best lefty! We look forward to Jacob being a regular visitor to The Palestra this season."