NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Southern Connecticut State University Athletics & Recreation is proud to announce that women's cross country's Maya Fisher and women's soccer's Reagan VonLoeser have been selected as Team IMPACT Fellows for SCSU for the 2026-27 academic year. 

As Fellows, Fisher and VonLoeser will serve as campus leaders for Team IMPACT's mission - an organization that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams, creating a life-long bond and an official member of the team. 

In their new roles, the two student-athletes will lead Southern's efforts to grow the program's footprint on campus and in the greater New Haven community. 

A Mission Bigger Than Sports 
For both Fisher and VonLoeser, the selection is about connection, not competition. 

Fisher, a member of the Owls women's cross country program, spoke to the power of belonging that Team IMPACT creates: 

"One of the things that make Team IMPACT so special is the way it brings people together through genuine relationships. Being selected as a Team IMPACT representative is an honor because I've seen how much a sense of belonging and support can mean to a child and their family. The impact of this organization goes far beyond athletics—it creates friendships, unforgettable experiences, and a community where everyone is valued. I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent a mission that demonstrates how kindness and connection can leave a lasting impact on so many lives." 
— Maya Fisher, SCSU Women's Cross Country 

VonLoeser, representing SCSU Women's Soccer, echoed that sentiment, highlighting how the program redefines what it means to win: 

"Being selected as a Team IMPACT representative is truly an honor. Through this experience, I've learned that the greatest victories in sports aren't always measured on the scoreboard, they're found in the connections we build and the lives we touch. Team IMPACT reminds us that every child deserves to feel like they belong, and every student-athlete could be part of something bigger than themselves. I'm excited to represent this mission and continue helping create lasting impact within our community." 
— Reagan VonLoeser, SCSU Women's Soccer 

Goals for the Year at Southern Connecticut 
As Fellows, Fisher and VonLoeser have outlined three major goals for this year at Southern: 

• Host a successful Team IMPACT 5K on campus. The campus-wide event will bring together student-athletes, students, and the community to support Team IMPACT children and families. 

• Get more Southern teams signed up on the waiting list to receive a match. SCSU Women's Soccer is already signed up to receive a Team IMPACT match, and the Fellows are working to add more Owls programs to the list. 

• Help bring at least one new Team IMPACT match to Southern this year. The ultimate goal is to welcome a new child and family into the Owl family. 

How Coaches and Teams Can Help 
One of the biggest ways to support the initiative is for teams to join the waiting list to be matched with a Team IMPACT child. 

Coaches are encouraged to consider signing their program up for a match, and to support Fisher and VonLoeser as they work on these initiatives throughout the year - whether that's through participation in the 5K, spreading awareness, or engaging with future Team IMPACT teammates. 

With two passionate leaders at the forefront, SCSU Athletics is set to make this a landmark year for Team IMPACT at Southern.