COLLEGE STATION -- The Texas A&M men's basketball program had the honor of adding Drake Medinger to the program through Team IMPACT this weekend. The Aggies held Drake's official Signing Day Sunday afternoon, welcoming him with his own locker, jersey and a press conference with the team where he signed his letter to officially join the Aggie family.Â
"We are excited to have Drake with us," said head coach Billy Kennedy. "I had a chance to spend some time with Drake and his family earlier this season. He's a great kid and has been through more in the last seven years than most have in a lifetime. He's a fighter, he's tough as nails and we're excited to have him as a part of our team."
Drake was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2012 and fought for almost three years, going through chemotherapy and other cancer treatments to eventually beat the disease. In 2016 it was discovered that the cancer returned, but he was determined to continue his fight. Despite additional health setbacks, Drake never stopped fighting and was able to beat cancer for a second time in 2018. Â
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched nearly 1,700 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 49 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
"We are excited to have Drake with us," said head coach Billy Kennedy. "I had a chance to spend some time with Drake and his family earlier this season. He's a great kid and has been through more in the last seven years than most have in a lifetime. He's a fighter, he's tough as nails and we're excited to have him as a part of our team."
Drake was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2012 and fought for almost three years, going through chemotherapy and other cancer treatments to eventually beat the disease. In 2016 it was discovered that the cancer returned, but he was determined to continue his fight. Despite additional health setbacks, Drake never stopped fighting and was able to beat cancer for a second time in 2018. Â
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched nearly 1,700 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 49 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
Welcome to the family, Drake! ?
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2019
In partnership with @GoTeamIMPACT, we've added the toughest guy we know, Drake Medinger, to our roster!
?? https://t.co/u8TSZ00Wh2
His page ?? https://t.co/aF9WEQ2U9U#BeTheIMPACT #GigEm pic.twitter.com/nSVIGVSQQr
A real Fightin' Texas Aggie ??
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2019
Drake, your story will continue to inspire us every day. You've got a whole squad of brothers here whenever you need them. Welcome to the family!
?? https://t.co/XO08soVRfh#BeTheIMPACT #GigEm pic.twitter.com/hK5JRio30s