Boston, Mass. - Ten Centennial Conference student-athletes participated in the annual Team IMPACT Fellowship Summit, while Swarthmore College was honored as the 2026 Team IMPACT Division III National Campus of the Year during the fellowship program in Boston.

The Team IMPACT Fellowship Program brings together student-athletes from across the country who are committed to making a difference through leadership, service and inclusion. Through the program, Team IMPACT Fellows help strengthen the connection between college athletics and children facing serious illness and disability. 

For Jack Solovey, a member of the Dickinson College cross country and track & field teams, the experience offered a powerful reminder of the impact student-athletes can have beyond the playing field. "I was deeply moved by the heartfelt and impactful stories shared at the summit by parents of children participating in the Team IMPACT program. Team IMPACT has been a transformative experience for thousands of children, and its mission has inspired me to take action and get involved," said Solovey.

The junior stated that the stories shared at the Summit also provided perspective on the experiences student-athletes face in their day-to-day lives. "While we often get caught up in challenges that we deem overwhelming in the classroom or on the playing field, these kids are facing battles far greater than anything we experience in our daily lives. Their stories remind me how fortunate I am and inspire me to make every moment with them meaningful. If being with our team allows them to forget about their illness, even for a little while, and feel like a valued member of the team, then I know I've made an impact," added Solovey.

The Fellowship Summit also recognized three campuses for their outstanding commitment to Team IMPACT: Kent State University, Concordia University Irvine and the Centennial Conference's own Swarthmore College. 

The Division III National Campus of the Year Award recognizes outstanding campuses and celebrates the student-athletes who lead with empathy, purpose and action. At Swarthmore, Fellows Liesel Blau of women's soccer and Joe Eyiolowope of men's soccer have worked together to foster a campus-wide commitment to inclusion and community. Together, Blau and Eyiolowope demonstrated exceptional leadership by coordinating Team IMPACT Awareness Games, hosting a successful Design FC community event, organizing a Team IMPACT lunch during DIII Week, and ensuring Team IMPACT matches were celebrated throughout the school year.

"Reflecting on the past year, I am proud of what we have built at Swarthmore, where our campus was honored with the Team IMPACT Division III National Campus of the Year Award. With our growing team of Fellows at Swarthmore, I am excited to continue expanding Team IMPACT on our campus and inspiring other student-athletes and campuses to go all in for this mission," said Blau.

Their collaborative leadership has brought together teams across the Swarthmore athletic department, elevated Team IMPACT's mission, and created meaningful opportunities for connection throughout campus.
The Team IMPACT Fellowship Program empowers student-athletes to become advocates for inclusion while developing leadership skills that will serve them well beyond graduation.

"Becoming a Team IMPACT Fellow has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career, and I would encourage any athlete who resonates with the Team IMPACT mission to apply for the Fellowship. Expanding Team IMPACT on my campus has helped create a culture where we play for something greater than ourselves," added Blau.

Click here to learn more about the Team IMPACT Fellowship Program and the Fellowship Campuses of the Year Award.