12-year-old Cooper Burnette signed by ISU football through Team IMPACT

Posted on June 16, 2023
Illinois State football signed 12-year-old Cooper Burnette on Thursday at Hancock Stadium. (Photo courtesy goredbirds.com)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – Illinois State football added to their program on Thursday with the signing of 12-year-old Cooper Burnette through Team IMPACT.

Cooper, who is battling cystic fibrosis, officially signed with the team at a press conference held at Hancock Stadium, according to a news release. He will participate in many activities with the ISU football program over the next two years, including games, practices, and other team events. 

“We are extremely excited to have Cooper as part of the Illinois State football program,” said ISU head coach Brock Spack. “It’s been a pleasure to get to know Cooper and his family throughout the past couple months, and we all look forward to having him around the building much more in the future. Cooper is your everyday 12-year-old loves sports and spending time with his friends and family. We hope he will enjoy his time with our program and have a lot of fun with the things we have planned for him over the next two years.”

Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country.

Illinois State Athletics has a long history with Team IMPACT dating back to 2019, when then eight-year-old Coen Frambes signed on to be a part of coach Melinda Fischer’s softball program. Most recently, Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Ryan Pedon signed Benjamin Elementary School second grader Ty Andracke to be part of his program in December of 2022.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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