In the midst of the closing minutes of a tight contest, Chris Fite, head coach of men's basketball, called a time-out, grabbed the white board, and turned to the bench to discuss strategy. The players quickly huddled around the coach, forming a wall averaging six-foot, four-and-a-half inches in height. Strategically squeezing his way through the wall for a better view was the newest member of the Shippensburg University men's basketball team: five-foot, twelve-year-old Jerrick Griffin.
 

The Raiders, through nonprofit organization Team IMPACT, recruited Jerrick who is a forward on the Harrisburg Christian School Knight's soccer team and point guard on the basketball team. According to its website, Team IMPACT "improves the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team." 

Jerrick suffers from sickle cell anemia, which is a hereditary disease that affects the blood. He also has an enlarged heart, asthma, and a loss of peripheral vision resulting from a stroke at the age of two. Because of his stroke, Jerrick must endure blood transfusions every four weeks for the rest of his life. 

"I hate the first few days after transfusions," Jerrick said as he explained how taxing the process is on his body. 

His mother, Shalawn James, explained that sickle cell disease compromises her son's immune system, causing frequent colds and three rounds of pneumonia. But the biggest issue is the pain, which requires James to keep a constant prescription of morphine on hand. 

"It's almost like a muscle cramp all the time, all over his body," she said. "The pain is constant—everyday." 

However, Jerrick's involvement with the SU men's basketball team provides an escape.  

"He hasn't been sick as much this year, only two or three times. He was sick all the time last year," James said. "There are times when he's not feeling well, and I think we aren't going to make it to the game or will have to leave early. But when we get here, he feels better. He's like a new kid." 

Ship is one of nearly 300 schools involved in Team IMPACT. The organization considers each child's needs and matches him or her to an athletic team that is enthusiastic about adding a child to their roster and is committed to that relationship both on and off the field. Although three schools were interested in working with Jerrick, Fite was committed to making him a Raider. Ship was his perfect match.  

As the newest Raider, Jerrick hit the locker room with the team, sat on the bench during games, and even walked the baseline dribbling under the hoop while the team warmed up. But his relationship with the team isn't confined to Heiges Field House. Several Raiders have attended Jerrick's soccer games, and the team has even visited his house for dinner. 

Although Jerrick enjoys all the players, he developed a special bond with junior forward Tony Ellis. 

"I text him a few times a week just to check in and see how he's doing," Ellis said. "I wasn't obligated. I wanted to. I thought it would be good for the team if he were a part of it." 

James said the regular texts from Ellis have been great, and Jerrick's involvement with the team has boosted his self-esteem. However, Fite and Ellis both agree that the team has benefited from its relationship with Jerrick equally, if not more so, than Jerrick. 

Ellis said Jerrick serves as a source of motivation for the team, as they never want to disappoint him. And when the Raiders do fall short, Ellis added that Jerrick helps the team keep perspective on what is really important. 

"After we lose a game, we're all distraught. Then you look at Jerrick and he's constantly battling sickle cell, yet he's always positive," Ellis said. "If he can get passed everything he's going through in life, then I can get over this loss." 

Fite agreed that Jerrick provides the team with great perspective on life and on how fortunate the players are to be in the position they are as student-athletes.  

"I tell our guys how fortunate we are to do what we do and that basketball is just a game," he said. "I also tell them that they have a responsibility to give back and to be a part of something bigger." 

That "something bigger" has come in the form of Jerrick and the bond the team has molded with him. Their relationship extends much further than the game of basketball. They are a team. They are a family. 

"Jerrick's their little brother. He's a part of the family now," Fite said. "I would see it as a lifetime commitment. Jerrick will be a part of the men's basketball program for as long as he wants to be." 

According to James, they don't plan on going anywhere. 

"We'll definitely stay with the team. It's been great," she said. "The team has been like family. I'm just thankful for this opportunity. I never thought it would have this much of an impact." 

In fact, not only does Jerrick plan to stay with the team, but he also hopes to someday attend Shippensburg University as a student, and maybe even play basketball or soccer as a Raider.