The Colorado College women’s lacrosse team has recruited a new member: an 11-year-old girl named Cheyenne.
The story behind this interesting addition to the team begins with an organization called Team Impact, which matches children facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses with local college athletic teams. Cheyenne is a Colorado Springs resident who has cancer, and Team Impact connected her to the CC’s women’s lacrosse team.
This past fall, the women’s lacrosse coaches approached the team about “adopting” Cheyenne, and the team was all for it. The men’s basketball team has also successfully sponsored a local boy named Carter, inspiring the lacrosse coaches to also work with Team Impact.
Nikki Blair, a first-year on the team, said that Cheyenne comes to practices and that the team has even given her a stick and gear to use. Cheyenne has never played lacrosse before, but that doesn’t deter her in the slightest. Cheyenne is enthusiastic and bubbly, so it was no surprise when the team instantly bonded with their new teammate.
“She is like everyone’s little sister and buddy, and she is always so excited whenever we show up. She is the oldest child, so it’s probably fun to have a lot of older siblings, kind of,” said Blair.
Since last fall, the team has organized many group activities, including a pumpkin-decorating contest for Halloween. The team also went to dinner with Cheyenne and her family, getting to meet Cheyenne’s parents and little brother.
Recently, the women’s lacrosse team “officially” signed Cheyenne to their team. Many CC teams, including women’s volleyball, men’s lacrosse, swimming, and track, came to the signing to show their support.
“We set up the official table, with the backdrop, and it was like the official ‘Cheyenne signing to play for CC lacrosse’. Everyone was super excited and asking her these really cute questions, like you would in a real press conference. It was so funny and so cute,” said Blair.
All around, the team’s relationship with Cheyenne has been very positive, benefitting both the team and Cheyenne. They meet up every few weeks or so to do something together, or just invite Cheyenne to practices to watch and spend time with the team.
“[Sponsoring Cheyenne is] good for the team, in terms of bonding, and it is a good outlet for her, and for us too,” said Blair.
The women’s lacrosse team has their opening game this Friday, March 4, at 4:30 p.m. against University of Northwestern, at which Cheyenne will be making a guest appearance to support her team.