Colorado State University Athletics
CSU volleyball adopts Sara Robinson as honorary team member
4/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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The Colorado State volleyball team added a member to its program last month, adopting Sara Robinson, a local 10-year-old who is battling a brain tumor. The Rams were partnered with Robinson through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
"In college athletics, you have to realize that there are purposes greater than winning or losing a game," Head Coach Tom Hilbert said. "Being able to give to somebody like Sara, and for her to give her friendship to us, is really, really powerful."
Robinson began having seizures at birth and was diagnosed with epilepsy at 10 days old. Despite constant medication and a team of doctors at Denver's Children's Hospital, no reason could be found for the seizures. Last May, during a routine MRI check-up, a large optic glioma tumor was found behind her left eye, attached to her optic nerve. At nine years old, Robinson began chemo treatments in October, which will last into the fall.
After being contacted about a potential match, Hilbert discussed the idea with his team. While there are obvious benefits, he wanted his players to understand the full circle of emotions that would come from something of this magnitude. The team not only agreed to, but embraced the opportunity, and was introduced to Robinson on March 11.
"This isn't just some symbolic thing," said associate head coach Brook Coulter. "To have Sara and her family aboard, and to be part of this, is a privilege and something very special. It's a lifetime commitment to be part of Sara's life and to understand the challenges she faces."
Robinson attended the Rams' practice during her adoption day, and afterward, took part in a celebration in the locker room. The ceremony included hand-written cards from each player and coach, a cake, and a presentation of team-issued gear. Robinson also received her own personalized stool, something each player has at her locker.
"Meeting and getting to know her new `sisters' on the team has been amazing for Sara," said Jay Robinson, Sara's father. "The light in her eyes when they are mentioned melts our hearts. Sara talks non-stop about the team, studies them and can't wait until the next time she gets to see them. She loves them all so much."
The day following the adoption, Denis Murphy, president of Friends of Jaclyn, flew out to Colorado to speak with the team. Friends of Jaclyn was created to help improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors, and their families, by pairing them with college and high school athletic teams.
"I'm so thankful for Sara already," senior outside hitter Alex Reid said. "I'm excited that we get to take her mind off of everything that's going on, and that she doesn't have to think about all of the bad things. She has support in us."
The foundation began in 2005 when Jaclyn Murphy, then a nine year old who was battling a malignant brain tumor, was connected to the Northwestern women's lacrosse team by chance events. Shortly after, she was adopted by the team as an honorary member. Overwhelmed with love, support and friendship from the team, Jaclyn shared a dream with her father that she wanted other children with pediatric brain tumors to have similar experiences.
From there, Friends of Jaclyn was created, and has since spread to impact more than 600 partnered children and teams, including CSU's football team.
"It's amazing that we have the opportunity to take somebody in under our wings and make a difference," senior libero Jaime Colaizzi said. "What we get to do here at CSU is super cool, and sometimes we forget the difference that we can make in other peoples' lives."
The adoption ceremony is just the beginning for Robinson and the Rams volleyball team. She has since returned to practice, and being a Fort Collins resident, expects to be a major part of the program throughout the season and beyond. Friendship has grown even away from volleyball, with players spending time with Robinson at various events, including school lunches, soccer games and a benefit fundraiser last month at The Boot Grill.
"Tom's motto is that it's not about what you get but what you give, and that couldn't be more true," Colaizzi said. "We're giving to Sara, but she doesn't realize how much she's giving to us. Her entire situation has changed our perspective. I complain about hard days or being sore or stressed, but then I think of her and realize she would do anything for this. She's an inspiration."
For more information about the Friends of Jaclyn, you can watch an HBO feature.
More from Jay and Mary Robinson, parents of Sara -- "Awesome. That is a very simple term, but means so much. Sara has no siblings, and it is hard for her to get close to people and make friends due to her inability to communicate very well. This is not because she is shy -- because we all know she is not -- it is because of her epilepsy and the unfortunate delays it has caused her in speech and learning. Now, with Sara's cancer, she is even more reclusive, as she doesn't want to be made fun of more than she already is. All of that has changed with Sara after her adoption into the CSU volleyball program through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Meeting and getting to know her new `sisters' on the team has been amazing for Sara. The light in her eyes when they are mentioned melts our hearts. Sara talks non-stop about the team, studies them and can't wait until the next time she gets to see them. They have been sending her emails, writing posts to her and even have come to have lunch with her at her elementary school. She loves them all so much. Having a 10-year-old daughter with cancer is devastating. But because of Friends of Jaclyn and everyone involved with the CSU volleyball team, our daughter now has 12 sisters -- and more coming -- that she can look up to and admire, which in turn helps us as her parents know that she is loved by so many, regardless of her physical setbacks. Since this is a long-term commitment for Sara and the team, it really makes it extra special knowing that Sara will always have a friend (or a team) that she can depend on to help her through any obstacles she may encounter. It is awesome."
