ESU Baseball Signing 9-Year Old Brayden through Team IMPACT

Posted by: admin on January 30, 2014, 5 Comments

EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University’s baseball program is excited to announce that Brayden Walsh, a nine-year old from Tannersville, is the newest Warrior to join the roster through a partnership with Team IMPACT.

Team IMPACT’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by establishing and expanding vibrant team-based support networks.

Brayden has faced multiple health challenges during his young life and has been diagnosed with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) and atypical Cystic Fibrosis within the last four years. He undergoes a five-hour procedure every four weeks to battle CVID, and has gone through daily treatment regimens to improve the health of his lungs.

Brayden signed with ESU’s baseball program on Wednesday night in Koehler Fieldhouse as he joins the Warriors and head coach John Kochmansky for the 2014 season. He was joined by his parents, Neal and Theresa, a 2000 ESU graduate.

Brayden is teaming up with the defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions, who are coming off a school-record 34 wins and hope for Brayden to lead them to many more this spring.

The Warriors look forward to spending time with Brayden throughout the season to give him a great college baseball experience!

The ESU baseball program has raised significant funding for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Lehigh Valley chapter over the last four years, donating nearly $8,500 through two programs – “Dollars for Doubles” and “Striking Out Cystic Fibrosis”.

Pledges are being accepted for this year’s “Striking Out Cystic Fibrosis”, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Lehigh Valley chapter.

About Team IMPACT

Team IMPACT endeavors to continually encourage a wide range of team-based organizations to open up their ranks and extend their laughter, strength and support for children facing adverse medical conditions.

The organization began by serving children across the Northeast, including New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They have since expanded into the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.

There are currently more than 5,000 program participants including children, siblings, parents, student-athletes and coaches.

ESU is among the first PSAC schools to participate with Team IMPACT, which includes ESU’s men’s soccer team, California’s football team, Slippery Rock’s women’s soccer team and Shippensburg’s wrestling and field hockey teams.

For more information and additional photos visit: http://esuwarriors.com/news/2014/1/30/BB_013014.aspx?path=baseball



5 Responses to “ESU Baseball Signing 9-Year Old Brayden through Team IMPACT”


Mary Lou Smith

Posted January 30, 2014 at 10:26 AM

I just wanted to thank the team and ESU for signing Brayden. He is my nephew and he is just going to love this. I can see how proud he is just by the smile on this face as he is signing. Thank you so much for making this young man feel so special.

I work in the Computing Center. Thanks again.


Amber Trunfio

Posted January 31, 2014 at 3:17 PM

I just want to congratulate Brayden and the Warriors for an awesome team merger! I know Brayden is an amazing kid with a winning spirit. I wish you all the best of luck.


Jennifer Floyd

Posted February 4, 2014 at 9:52 AM

Yeah! Go Brayden!!! So good to see GREAT things happening to this little guy that has gone through so much.


kenneth koberlein

Posted February 6, 2014 at 5:24 PM

congratulations to coach k and the esu baseball team for being all-stars for brayden and our community– truly inspiring!


Patrick Wuebben

Posted March 11, 2014 at 8:18 PM

If the internet had more stories like this, I would spend more time on the internet. Way to go, Coach Kochmansky. You’re doing it the right way.