As a student-athlete at Lafayette, especially on the men's soccer team, I have had the privilege to meet and speak with countless alumni.  Throughout my four years, it was crystal clear how passionate they are about the program and how actively they still follow the team. As I got older, I learned how connected we all truly are.

Three-mile fitness tests, preseason trips to Ocean City and playing at Oaks Stadium have bonded us across generations.

One thing that always managed to come up in conversation is how lucky I am to be playing soccer at Lafayette.

Without fail, I am always reminded how grateful I should be for where I am in my life. I had the unique opportunity to receive a great education, play Division I soccer and become a part of a storied program and brotherhood on College Hill.
 
I always listened to alumni and thought I was as thankful and appreciative as I could be. But after meeting the Hummell's, an amazing family with an even more amazing son, I realized I was wrong.
 
 
As part of an organization called Team Impact that pairs chronically-ill children with college sports teams, we were able to welcome a new brother to our team.

Andrew Hummell, the happiest 8-year-old you will ever meet, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth and Leukemia in December of 2017. Thanks to his positivity and strength, my teammates and I had a new appreciation for what we got to do day in and day out on College Hill.
 
 
Andrew is one of the happiest kids I have ever met.

Despite all he has been through, I have never seen him have a bad day. He would often get out of the hospital for treatment and be at our games a few days later smiling and cheering for 90+ minutes.
 
Looking back at the season, Andrew and his parents were at well over half of our games. They were practically at every home game, and even some away games, even making the trip all the way up to Colgate.

Win or lose, you could always count on Andrew to be waiting by the locker room looking for his high five.
 

The Finish Line
The Finish Line is a special series on GoLeopards.com consisting of first-person stories written by graduating student-athletes, reflecting on their Lafayette experience. For full coverage of this weekend's graduation ceremonies, visit the link below. Commencement Home Page

I can only hope that we have given Andrew as much joy as he has given us.

Watching him dance to his favorite Daddy Yankee song, compete at the Special Olympics, eat cookies at the post-game tailgates, or give everyone he sees a hug, Andrew has brought all my teammates and me so much happiness. He made us realize how thankful we should be not only for the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Lafayette, but to be happy and healthy.

I have had the pleasure of watching his hair grow back, seeing him go back to school and spend less and less time in the hospital. I want to use this platform to personally thank Andrew and his family for being so enthusiastic and dedicated to our team.

They are 100 percent part of this team and always will be.

They have brought a whole new perspective into my life and have made my last season the most memorable one.

 
 I want to thank the alumni who came before me. Their constant support and commitment are essential to the program and the reason Lafayette Soccer is so special.

To my family, coaches and teammates, thank you for all of your love and guidance. It has been an absolute pleasure to spend the last four years on the Hill.

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