A Team Of His Own

March 22, 2012

By Sean Teehan, Cape Cod Times

BUZZARDS BAY — The day before their sixth game this season, Massachusetts Maritime Academy lacrosse players gathered around as their latest prospect Teddy McGowan signed with the team.

McGowan stands about 4 feet 8 inches tall, wears a size small jersey and, at 12 years old, is the youngest member.

"I feel awesome," Teddy said moments after signing his letter of intent to become a Buccaneer.

McGowan, who doctors diagnosed with mitochondrial disease when he was 3, joined the team as part of the maritime school's partnership with Team IMPACT, a nonprofit that matches children battling serious health issues with college sports teams.

"He's so limited in the sports he can do," said Katie Gentile, McGowen's at-home nurse since he was 8. "This will make him feel part of the team."

The disease stems from dysfunctional mitochondria, the specialized compartments present in every cell in the body except red blood cells, according to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation in Pittsburgh. Mitochondria create about 90 percent of energy the body needs to support growth and sustain life.

Since his diagnosis, Teddy relies on a central line in his chest to receive nutrition. His colon has been removed, and tubes in his stomach and intestines help with digestion. The condition puts him in the hospital for 40 to 70 days per year, said his mother, Becca McGowan.

Years ago, Teddy tried his hand at basketball, his mother said. But he tired quickly during games and practices and ultimately had to drop out.

When a social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital suggested he participate in the Team IMPACT program, he beamed, Becca McGowan said.

"When we found out he was doing it, he was like, 'Can we go tomorrow?'" Becca McGowan said.

As part of the team, Teddy has an open invitation to practices and games. He will spend time with the team on and off the field.

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, about 150 MMA athletes from various sports teams waited in the second-floor gym of the school's athletic building for Teddy to arrive.

When he got there with his mother and sister, Megan, he walked beneath the words "There are no strangers here "» Only friends you have not met" painted above the doorway. He made his way through an aisle of athletes who stood and cheered as he walked to the stage.

The family was a little late because of traffic tie-ups on the Sagamore Bridge.

"Teddy, we were worried that you might have signed with another team," Greg Folino, MMA's head athletic trainer, joked.

Shouts of "Yeah, Ted!" and "You the man, Teddy!" burst out from the crowd as he signed the letter, and the room broke out into applause when he put on his Buccaneers cap and held his custom team jersey with "McGowan" printed on the back.

"Teddy's been through a lot," said Maura Mahoney, Team IMPACT's communications director, during the ceremony. "He truly represents what it is to be a fighter."

Teddy joined the rest of the lacrosse team in the locker room after the ceremony, where he found his personal locker and tried on his new helmet and gloves.

At the request of his new team members, he gathered with them in a huddle for a captain's cheer.

"One, two, three, Teddy!"