On March 25, Middle Tennessee State University women’s volleyball team signed 16-year-old Cheyenne Shuler in collaboration with Team Impact.

Team Impact is a nonprofit organization that places children with terminal or debilitating illnesses and other disabilities with collegiate sports teams. The program provides children with a team experience and the opportunity to enjoy sports in ways they might not otherwise.

Senior Michaela Dlouhá learned of the opportunity through the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. MTSU head coach Alexa Keckler has experience with Team Impact and saw the influence it can have. This is the first Team Impact signing for Middle Tennessee volleyball and the second in MTSU athletics history. The Blue Raider baseball team signed 9-year-old Luke Denson in 2014.

“I was well aware of the impact it can have on an individual and their families, as well as on our team,” Keckler said.

Shuler is expected to join the Blue Raiders for both of their home matches in April. During the summer, there will be regular phone and video communication with her while players are away. Once the fall season begins, and Shuler’s participation with MTSU volleyball is to her comfort, she is welcome to team activities at her discretion. The signing with Team Impact is a two-year partnership for both parties.

Middle Tennessee volleyball has quickly embraced Shuler, with several meetings aimed at getting to know her personality and interests. Among the meetings so far was a Zoom-based quiz competition on the show “Stranger Things,” which is popular with Shuler and across the team.

“She brings a lot of joy to the team,” senior Danit Cohen said. “When she was taking her pictures, we were so excited to help her and see her smile.”

Team Impact maintains regular contact with Shuler and her family, as well as with MTSU volleyball, ensuring a symbiotic relationship remains in place. The goal of Team Impact is to spread lessons in empathy, camaraderie and resiliency to everyone involved, echoed by several Blue Raiders.

“We want to help her [Shuler] feel more confident and comfortable in these settings and for us to understand how to empower her,” Keckler said. “We want her to know that she can speak up and she can make a difference.”

As well as teaching volleyball, this is an opportunity to make a difference off the court. Several players are part of the leadership team during Shuler’s time with Middle Tennessee, and they are willing to help her in ways beyond learning the game.

“We care about her [Shuler],” Cohen said. “To help her, whether it’s volleyball skills or socially, I think our goal is just to help her find joy in things she didn’t think she could find joy in.”

For MTSU volleyball, the goal is to positively influence Shuler’s life and learn lessons of gratitude and the difference kindness can make in a person’s life.

“For our players, it’s the recognition of the day-to-day privileges we have, and how just minimal things can impact so many people,” Keckler said. “Being kind, helpful and supportive are all things we talk about dealing with one another, but this gets to show them the impact it has outside of the team.”

Team Impact is nationwide and accepts applications for clients and teams. MTSU Volleyball continues its spring season on April 8 against Austin Peay State University at the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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