DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle tennis coaches Dave Paschal and Chris Wollett announced the signing of Zachary Westgate to a National Letter of Intent on Monday. Westgate was teamed up with the ERAU tennis program through Team IMPACT and joins ERAU men's basketball and women's soccer as participants in the Team IMPACT program.
 
Westgate is a nine-year-old boy from Port Orange. Seven days after he was born, he was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. The doctors were unsure of exactly the damage it would have on Westgate's body at the time, but a short while later, they diagnosed him with ADD and Touretts. As time went on, his kidney functions began to weaken so he had his left kidney removed. At the age of six, his right kidney functions began to worsen and his bladder lost its functions. These issues necessitated that he have a Monti tube - an alternative urinary conduit that uses a portion of the ileum between the bladder and the abdominal wall - placed in his belly-button. As a result of having the Monti tube, Westgate is unable to play contact sports.
 
Westgate enjoys playing video games, board games and games on the Wii, and loves sports. His favorite TV channel is the Disney Channel and he also enjoys watching the History channel and learning from it! He has a pet beta-fish named Mr. King Bubbles, and a hermit crab, named Crabby. His favorite foods are macaroni with butter, macaroni and cheese, McDonalds chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers.

"We didn't really know what to expect before we met Zach," Wollett said. "He has made quite an impression on both the girls and guys teams. I think we've probably learned more from him than he has from us! It's been a tremendous, positive impact having him on board and we're excited about getting to spend more time with him throughout the semester and in the years to come."

Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.  Team IMPACT children are drafted on to college athletic teams, local to where they live and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to collegiate team-based support in order to significantly enhance their quality of life in a number of ways, including; socially, psychologically, physically and academically.  Team IMPACT also strives to provide collegiate teams with increased levels of awareness, sympathy and support for the medial and disease communities. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 600 children with collegiate teams, at over 270 institutions in 42 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 20,000 student athletes. For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.