Alvernia Women’s Lacrosse Welcomes 7-Year-Old Izzy Rivera to Team

In a genuinely touching development, the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse team just welcomed 7-year-old Izzy Rivera to their squad. This special moment happened back in November, when Izzy signed her national letter of intent during a signing-day ceremony on campus.

The team joined forces with Team Impact, an organization that pairs children facing serious illnesses with college athletic teams. Izzy, a brave second-grader from Wernersville, has already overcome a rare congenital heart defect, open-heart surgery, and emergency brain surgery after a seizure and aneurysm.

Her resilience is something else. Even at such a young age, she’s stared down medical challenges that would rattle most adults.

The Journey of Izzy Rivera

Izzy’s journey has included surviving both open-heart surgery and emergency brain surgery. These experiences have shaped her into an incredibly resilient kid and, honestly, she inspires everyone around her.

Joining the Golden Wolves

Izzy’s official induction into the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse team came with a heartfelt signing-day ceremony. It wasn’t just a formality—it felt like a real celebration of Izzy’s strength and the start of something new.

Her family, the team, and university folks showed up, including Associate Athletic Director and Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Megan Corrigan. The energy in the room? You could feel it.

Team Impact Partnership

Alvernia’s partnership with Team Impact really shows the power of community. Team Impact connects kids like Izzy with college teams, building relationships that can change lives.

This collaboration gives kids a sense of belonging and support. It also gives student-athletes a chance to learn from these kids, which is honestly pretty cool.

A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

Coach Corrigan says Izzy’s joy and positive energy are contagious. She’s already a valuable addition to the team.

The players get a front-row seat to what real resilience looks like. That kind of perspective sticks with you, both on the field and off.

The Role of Team Impact

Team Impact’s mission is to boost the quality of life for kids dealing with tough illnesses through the power of team. By partnering with college athletic programs, they build a support system and offer kids a sense of normalcy.

The partnership with Alvernia’s women’s lacrosse team is a great example of how these connections can actually make a difference.

Strengthening Community Ties

It’s not just Izzy and the team who benefit—the whole university and local community get in on it, too. This kind of community engagement matters, and it’s amazing to see everyone rallying together.

The support from the university, the team, and local folks really pushes this partnership forward.

Looking Ahead

For the next two years, Izzy will be right there with the Golden Wolves. She’ll join games, practices, and team events, making memories and building strong friendships.

The team kicks off its 2026 season on Wednesday, February 18, against Marymount University. Izzy will be on the sidelines, cheering them on—can’t wait to see that.

Building Lifelong Connections

The relationships built here probably won’t end after two years. The bonds between Izzy and the team will likely last a lifetime, giving her a network of support and friendship.

For the players, having Izzy around is a reminder of strength and resilience—something that’ll stick with them long after their college days are over.

Conclusion

Izzy Rivera’s journey with the Alvernia University women’s lacrosse team shows what can happen when a community steps up. Thanks to Team Impact, Izzy found a second family with the Golden Wolves.