Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Through Team IMPACT, a program that matches children with severe diseases with college athletic programs, the MSUB men’s soccer team has taken a 6-year-old with cancer onto the team.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Making its newest and most valuable addition to the 2014 squad, the Montana State University Billings men’s soccer team partnered with Team IMPACT to welcome 6-year-old Sebastien Easton as its honorary guest for the remainder of the season.

Sebastien is currently battling cancer, and was paired with the Yellowjackets when he was selected to MSUB’s roster on Draft Day Tuesday evening. “It’s just great that we can have Sebastien come out here and be part of the team,” said head coach Alex Balog. “This season he will be the 30th player on our roster, and we are very happy to have him on the team.”

Sebastien made an appearance at the Yellowjackets’ practice, where he was greeted by players, took part in exercises, and was presented with an MSUB cap and a jersey signed by the entire team.

“It’s great to welcome Sebastien to the team, and he’s a young fellow with a whole lot of character,” said sophomore Rhys Lambert, who presented the cap to Sebastien. “Having him here is going to be great for him and for us. For us to be able to impact someone’s life like that is incredible.”

Sebastien and his family currently reside in Billings, and his mother Mandy Easton is a MSUB alumna who played volleyball for the Yellowjackets.

The MSUB men’s soccer team will welcome Sebastien to a variety of events throughout the year, including training sessions, team meals, team activities and pre-game talks.

“He is also touching our lives, because it helps our student-athletes put things into perspective,” Balog said. “When these guys see this 6-year-old show up, full of enthusiasm and happy that he can be here, it teaches our players that’s how they need to show up to the soccer field day-in and day-out.” 

Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization from Massachusetts whose mission is to pair children with severe diseases with college athletic teams. Through this partnership, the children gain strength and a sense of camaraderie, and are exposed to many of the valuable experiences that student-athletes regularly have.