A Mora, Minnesota teen and her family are getting a unique experience with the Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball team this season.
Allison "Allie" Marsh, 15, officially signed with the Gophers on June 25, 2024 as part of Team IMPACT, which partners children facing serious illness and disabilities onto college athletic teams across the country.
"We found out about Team IMPACT through social media and an organization called Hope Kids that we are connected with," said Allie's mom, Elizabeth Marsh. "When we had heard about it, we just loved the idea of connecting Allie with a team that could support her and to have fun events to look forward to, along with a connection she could look forward to."
The women's basketball team joins men's basketball, gymnastics and volleyball as the four programs who have paired with an individual with Team IMPACT.
Allie's signing day came one year after she was officially introduced to the Gophers who made sure the day was one to remember.
"Allie epitomizes the pillars that our program stands on, the first one is toughness, and Allie is someone who has embraced a lot of adversity in her life," said Gophers women's head basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "Our second pillar is togetherness and while she has gone through the adversity, she's done so with a smile on her face and always putting others first."
Throughout her life, Allie's faced complex medical conditions requiring many surgeries and hospital stays. Those challenges have not taken away Allie's love for sports and competition.
"We have always watched sports as a family," Elizabeth said. "She has had a lot of struggles physically with Cerebral palsy. That hasn't stopped her from participating in sports. She's been involved in Miracle League baseball, Minnesota special hockey, and Special Olympics bowling and basketball."
Being an official member of the Gophers women's basketball team means attending games and closed practices, as well as participating in shootarounds.
"It has just been a wonderful experience connecting with the staff and players. We have tickets to the games and it's been phenomenal sitting courtside and cheering on the team."
Allie's been able to share the special moments with not only the team, but her family including her parents Andrew and Elizbeth, and her sister Madison.
The bond between Allie and her teammates has extended beyond the basketball court through team meals and even birthday parties.
"She's part of the team and they all treat her like she's another player on the team," Elizabeth said. "Just seeing her smile and just that glow she has when she gets to connect with her team is special."
One of those connections has been with Gophers senior and Farmington-native Sophie Hart.
"I remember the first day Allie came here, having that big smile," Hart said on Allie's signing day. "Having her family be part of our family and our community, and seeing her at games, has been awesome."
Along with the experiences, Elizabeth says there are life lessons to learn as well including sportsmanship and showing up for your team.
"Whether you have a disability or not, it's so important to learn. There's also feeling like you belong. As a mom to a child with a disability, we just want her to belong, feel loved, and feel connected with other people. To see that is amazing. It's a great feeling and I'm so happy for her. We really enjoy the time we get to spend with them and to watch her grow is super cool."
Allie and the Gophers return to action Wednesday night in a Big Ten Conference clash with Rutgers.
The Gophers are 15-1 and 3-1 in the conference, having won five straight games and 10-straight games at home.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Williams Arena.