BOSTON, Mass -- Nearly a decade ago, Thomas Schmid became a part of the Buccaneer's men's soccer team and the Maritime community through TEAMImpact, an organization that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved. Thomas live's with Mitochondrial Disease, which prevents the body's mitochondria from effectively turning sugar and oxygen into energy which prevents cells from working properly.

Thomas joining the Buccaneers not only changed Coach Perry's life but all of the players on his team as well. Once Thomas' TEAMImpact stint was over with the Buccaneers Coach Perry didn't let the support for Thomas and his family and the life long lessons his young student-athletes can learn stop there. Now, Perry and other members of the Buccaneers athletics staff attend the "Thomas' Team" Golf tournament each year to help support the Schmid Family and the fight against Mitochondrial disease. 

The support doesn't stop there as the Buccaneer men's soccer team attend the Mito Walk in Boston each year to support Thomas' Team and help raise funds in the fight against the disease. This year, the 19th Annual Mito Walk took place in Franklin Park Zoo and a dozen of the Bucs men's soccer players along with the coaching staff attended as they do every year. 

"Thomas is an amazing kid and his family is outstanding," said Greg Perry. "As much as we may be helping Thomas and his family, they also help me and our guys tremendously with their passion and fight against this disease that Thomas has learned to manage throughout his life."

The Mito Walk holds three walks each year in Boston, Rochester, N.Y., and Syracuse, N.Y.. To learn more about Mitochondrial Disease and how you can lend support click the link below.