On Saturday, Carolina Athletics opened its doors-and its heart-to a group of special guests for a holiday celebration that went far beyond gingerbread and basketball. In partnership with Team IMPACT, student-athletes from across UNC’s athletic programs welcomed children facing serious illness and disability, along with their families, for a day that was all about connection, community, and joy.
The day kicked off with gingerbread house decorating, where icing and candy turned into smiles and laughter. But the real magic was in the relationships-between the kids and the student-athletes they’ve been paired with through Team IMPACT’s unique multiyear program.
Each child is matched with a college team, becoming an honorary member of the squad. It’s a bond that goes deeper than the game, rooted in shared experiences and mutual support.
After the gingerbread houses were built and decorated, the group headed to the Smith Center to catch the Tar Heels in action as the men’s basketball team took on USC Upstate. The kids didn’t just watch the game-they were part of it, recognized on the court and celebrated by the crowd. It was a moment they won’t forget, and neither will the athletes who have come to see these kids as teammates in every sense of the word.
For Owen Duffy, a junior on the men’s lacrosse team, the connection with his Team IMPACT teammate, Noah Clifton, has been transformative. “I chose to be a part of the Team IMPACT program because I thought it was a great way to be involved at first,” Duffy said.
“At first, I didn’t realize how much it would do for me. I always like to say that Noah, his family, and Team IMPACT have done more for me than I could ever do for them.
Noah is one of my favorite teammates here at Carolina. He really is just a joy to be around-he’s a little jokester and one of the most competitive kids I’ve ever met.”
That sense of belonging and joy was echoed by parents who have seen firsthand how these connections can change lives.
Kimberly Houston, mother to two Team IMPACT participants, reflected on the impact for her daughters. “When my oldest daughter was eight years old, she got paired with the UNC volleyball team.
They were such a great community to her and really made her feel a part of their team,” she said. “My youngest daughter has been a part of the UNC softball team for the past year and has also had such a great time connecting with those athletes.
I love the mentorship and how they can truly build a community with a sense of belonging. It has ultimately led to both of my daughters having more self-confidence.”
Ashley James, whose 10-year-old son Wyatt is matched with the Carolina swimming & diving team, shared a similar sentiment. “We have been so thankful and happy to be a part of Team IMPACT,” she said.
“The relationship between Wyatt and the Carolina swimming & diving team is unlike any other. It is so exciting to watch him interact with the athletes, who are such great role models for him.
I love seeing Wyatt light up when he is with them.”
This wasn’t just a feel-good holiday event-it was a reminder of what sports can do at their best. They bring people together.
They lift each other up. And sometimes, they create bonds that extend far beyond the field, the court, or the pool.
For the Carolina student-athletes, this wasn’t about giving back-it was about gaining something greater: perspective, friendship, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a team. And for the kids, it was another unforgettable day as a Tar Heel.