BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – On Wednesday, October 21^st 2020 the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Football team officially welcomed 11-year old Charlie Orcutt (Forestdale, Mass) to the Buccaneer family as he signed his Team Impact letter of intent on his Draft Day held at Clean Harbors Stadium. Charlie was joined on the field by his parents, Ken and Erin, his sister Samantha, Director of Athletics Mike Kelley, head football coach Jeremy Cameron, Members of the Team Impact Organization with Buccaneer student-athletes watching on from the stands.

Team Impact is a Boston-based non-profit organization that tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team near their community. Through their two-year therapeutic program that complements their medical treatments, children develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.

In 2018, Charlie suffered a traumatic brain injury that changed his changed in his day-to-day life and overall lifestyle. Fast forward to the fall of 2019, Charlie and his family are contacted by Boston-based non-profit Team Impact and ultimately teamed up with Coach Cameron and the Bucs. Since joining the team last fall Charlie and his family have attended a Buccaneer football game and stayed in touch with the coaches and players.

To seal the partnership between the family, team, and Team Impact each child has a draft day like the one Charlie had at the Academy on Wednesday where they sign their letter of intent and are "drafted" to their respective team. Originally, Charlie's draft day was set for March but due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was unfortunately pushed off to Wednesday. During the time away from the Academy and football, assistant coach John Muldoon and members of the football team held weekly zoom calls with Charlie and his family to stay in touch and hang out.   

"The Bucs make Charlie feel important," said Charlie's mom Erin. "Being at home during this time has been bittersweet for Charlie. Physically and educationally it has been great but socially it has been a different story. The Bucs have helped that so much by hanging out with him each week," added Erin.

During the time at home Charlie has built himself up to stop using his cane and to start riding his bike again.

"We are so happy to bring such a great kid like Charlie in to our family and call him a Buccaneer," said John Muldoon. "He and his family are a great addition to this community."

In front of his now fellow Buccaneers Charlie donned a number one Buccaneer camo jersey and a Buccaneer baseball cap as he signed his letter of intent which was followed by photo opportunities with multiple media outlets and his family.

The Buccaneer Department of Athletics are proud to call Charlie and his entire family Buccaneers. For more information on Team Impact visit https://www.teamimpact.org/.

Release courtesy of Massachusetts Maritime Sports Information