SACRAMENTO — It was the middle of the afternoon, bright as day, yet the smile on the face of Jah'Sear Lusk lit up Hornet Soccer Field.

Flanked by friends and family, as well as the entirety of Sacramento State men's soccer team and coaching staff, Lusk became the newest member of the Hornets' 2023 roster, putting pen to paper and signing on with the team for the season.

Thanks to a partnership between Sacramento State and Team IMPACT, an organization founded in 2011 which connects children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams across the country, the 11-year-old Lusk was introduced at midfield for a special pre-match ceremony prior to kick-off of Sacramento State's Big West Conference opener against CSU Bakersfield on Sept. 27.

Clad in a green Hornet soccer jersey emblazoned with the number five on the front, Lusk officially signed on with the Sacramento State program and posed for pictures with the team, friends, and family before settling in to watch the Hornets and Roadrunners do battle as that match's honorary captain.
 

Diagnosed with Sickle cell disease and suffering a stroke when he was around three years old, Lusk is working to overcome the challenges those diagnoses has put in front of him. He suffers from weakness on the right side of his body, has lost the use of his right hand, and has limited mobility in his right foot. In addition, he has what is called a vision field cut, which limits his peripheral vision.

However, none of that has damped his spirit. Described as "charming," "charismatic," "resilient," and "full of character," Lusk is constantly doing his best to figure out ways to work around his disabilities and conquer the obstacles he faces on a daily basis.

And he won't have to go it alone. After Wednesday, he has 28 new teammates by his side, ready to tackle the world.

For more information on Team IMPACT and the work that they are doing, visit them online at teamimpact.org or follow them on social media at @GOTEAMIMPACT.