INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI Athletics Department and head men's soccer coach #
Brian Barnett# announced the signing of Fishers-native
Tyler Harris to a Letter of Intent on Wednesday (Mar. 28). Harris, 11, inked his letter as part of a partnership with Team IMPACT, an organization established to match kids battling illnesses with college programs. The naturally left-footed Harris is expected to make an immediate impact on the IUPUI program. He was flanked by his parents, Clay and Carey, and Coach Barnett as he put pen to paper.
"We're going to sign one of the most important players in our 2018 class today. We're excited about bringing Tyler into the program and making him part of the team," Barnett said. "He comes from a great family and genuinely fits in well with our guys. I know our guys are excited about it and today is just the beginning on what's to come."
Harris, a fifth-grader, has cystic fibrosis (CF), an illness that causes a thick, sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. He undergoes frequent breathing treatments and takes more than 30 pills daily. He also stays active, which helps fight the mucus buildups as well. On Wednesday, he was thrust into action as he joined his new teammates on the field for some drills immediately after signing his letter of intent.
"It felt good because I knew I was part of the team," Harris said.
Barnett joked during Harris' introductory press conference that the 11-year old could use some work in the weight room, but also acknowledged his cross country background would helped the overall team fitness. The Jaguars' head coach all but knew a commitment was in the works when they visited the on-campus Chick-fil-A during his initial recruiting visit.
"With Tyler, he has a tremendous amount of resiliency and fight and bite in him," Barnett said. "And that's ultimately what we want in our guys."
Team IMPACT has aided more than 1,400 kids in signing with college programs and Harris comes IUPUI's first Team IMPACT signee.
