LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University lacrosse program is proud to announce the newest member of its team: 11-year-old Reid Block, who will officially join the team through a collaboration with Team IMPACT.
 
Reid was welcomed to the program during a special Signing Day on Sept. 7, 2026, at Bellarmine, where he signed his official letter of commitment to become part of the university's lacrosse family. 
 
Reid hails from Prospect, Kentucky, and attends Goshen Elementary. 
 
"Reid has a very rare form of Epilepsy called ESES and his brain never turns off. The issue is that when the brain is busy doing other things, it doesn't do what it's supposed to do," Reid's father, Randy, explained.
 
Reid also experiences developmental challenges, short-term memory loss and crippling ADHD. Despite the fact that there is no cure and no defined treatment path, Reid's parents are hopeful that he will outgrow his epilepsy. 
 
Due to the risks associated with contact sports, Reid is unable to participate in sports like lacrosse, and the complications of Reid's epilepsy can be debilitating and isolating. Reid's mother, Jami, learned about Team Impact through the Epilepsy foundation. Joining the Bellarmine lacrosse program will give Reid an additional support system. 
 
"Reid is a very sweet and kind kid," Randy said. "We say that kindness is his superpower. He loves to build things, is very empathetic, and generally loves sports. He is a 'grinder,' he is willing to work hard because most things are hard for him."
 
As an official member of the Bellarmine lacrosse program, Reid will have opportunities to spend time with the team throughout the season, attend practices and games, participate in off-field activities with the team and build relationships with his teammates.
 
For the Bellarmine lacrosse program, the relationship is about much more than adding another name to the roster.
 
"We're incredibly excited to welcome Reid to our program and, most importantly, to our family. Being a great teammate is about much more than what happens on the field — it's about showing up for one another, building relationships and knowing that you belong to something bigger than yourself. We want Reid to know that he has a group of teammates and coaches who are in his corner, and we also know that he is going to have an impact on us," explains Head Coach Andrew Whitley.
 
The partnership also gives Bellarmine lacrosse student-athletes the chance to experience the impact of being a teammate beyond competition — to show up for someone else and recognize the influence they can have in their community.
 
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ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams, creating long-term, life-changing experiences for children, families, student-athletes, and communities.