A Penn State Men’s Basketball team drafted an 11-year old from Everett, and he now has a chance to live a dream.
Teagan Imler has a passion for anything in sports, at one point he had hoped that he would get to play for his favorite college team.
But five years ago, he was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, and has since been forced into a wheelchair for life.
“He had to give up every sport, he loves all sports.” mom Crystal Imler said Football, basketball, baseball, everything. He had dreams ever since he could talk that he was going to play for Penn State some day.”
Team Impact is a non-profit helping to connect kids with college sports teams around the country, and they’ve helped Teagan be a part of Penn State Altoona Basketball.
“Teagan is a young man that is dealing with something I don’t think I can deal with as a young man or a parent,” Penn State Altoona Men’s Basketball Coach David McGreal said. “Seeing him and meeting him and his family, and seeing how strong they are as a unit, and how resilient they are, is something we’re excited to be a part of.”
At first, the Imler’s were worried how Teagan would be threated, but he’s become part of the Penn State family.
“Whether you’re in the starting five, you might not get a minute we’re all together, we’re all together, one family,” Senior forward Marshal Higley said. “Everybody’s up at the same time, we’re helping each other up That’s going to be our motto with Teagan.”
And coach has big plans for Teagan and the team.
“”Hopefully he gets a championship ring, win a conference championship,” McGreal said. “More importantly in today’s society, that Teagan understands that there are people out there who don’t care about your disability, they don’t care about the color of your skin or religion.
“They like you and respect you for who you are.”
As a team member, Teagan will attend practices, games, team dinners and events.