Head Coach Barrett Peery and the Portland State Men's Basketball team will hold a special Draft Day celebration for 10-year-old Stryder Doescher of Bend on Wednesday, April 11 at the Peter W. Scott Center. Stryder, who comes to the Vikings via Team IMPACT, was diagnosed in 2010 with epilepsy and connective tissue disorder.
Through Team IMPACT's program at Portland State University, the top recruit will become an official member of the men's basketball team. As a team member, Stryder will attend Vikings practices, games, team dinners, events, and more.
"It is no secret Stryder epitomizes what it takes to be a key member of this team," said Peery. "His willingness to persevere through adversity is sure to make him an inspiration to the rest of his teammates."
Stryder suffers from a connective tissue disorder that causes seizures, overly flexible joints, skin hyperextensibility, and wounds. In October 2014, Stryder underwent simultaneous neck fusion and brain operation to increase mobility and prevent the brain stem from overlapping nerves in his neck and must wear a neck-to-waist brace for stability.
"Nothing warms my heart more than seeing the young men taking Stryder under their wing and including him throughout their games and practices," said Styder's mom Angela. "His medical issues make this an impossibility in the "real" world."
Despite everything he has gone through, Stryder, with the help of his service dog Keebler, remains strong and continues through life with a smile (and a wagging tail by his side).
Draft Day Media Moments:
Stryder signing an official Letter of Intent
Special remarks by Head Coach, Barret Peery and Director of Athletics, Valerie Cleary
When:
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 - 2:30pm (2:15pm suggested arrival)
Where:
Peter W. Scott Center –Nudleman Room - 930 SW Hall Street, Portland, Oregon 97201
Who:
Top 2018 Recruit, Stryder Doescher of Bend, Oregon
Portland State University Men's Basketball Head Coach, Barret Peery
Portland State University Director of Athletics, Valerie Cleary
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,400 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 47 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
