SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball coach Rick McLaughlin added another player to the team in 16- year-old Niko Stuart through Team Impact.
 
Niko, who was diagnosed with Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome, was officially introduced at the Signing Day press conference on Nov. 28, inking his National Letter of Intent in front of all of his new teammates.
 
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
 
"Myself, the coaching staff and the entire team could not be more excited to have Niko join our program," McLaughlin said.
 
This is the first Team Impact athlete to join one of UC Santa Barbara's teams. Niko will be an integral part of the team, sitting on the bench at home matches and coming to practice to be with his new teammates.
 
Fans and the rest of the Gauchos will kick off the 2024 season at home as they host the Asics Invitational from Jan. 4 through 6. More information on the beginning of the season will come soon.