Rize Sanchez, an 8-year-old Colorado Springs, Colo., resident who suffers from glycogen storage disease, signed a 'National Letter of Intent' with the Colorado College men's basketball team on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Sanchez joined the CC basketball program through Team IMPACT, which pairs college sports teams with local children who are fighting a serious illness.

Rize was joined by his parents, Amanda and Steve, and CC head coach Jeff Conarroe at the signing ceremony.

Team IMPACT's mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.

Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,500 children with collegiate teams at 700+ institutions in 49 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of more than 64,000 student athletes.

For more information on Team Impact: http://www.teamimpact.org/.