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The ACU Wildcats called a special press conference Monday afternoon to announce the newest member of the women's basketball team.
Julie Goodenough said, "Number 42 from Albany, TX, Hannah Snyder."
Hannah Snyder, a 7th grader from Albany, signed her letter of intent, and received her jersey from the Wildcats.
Goodenough said, "We've known her for several months and finally got her to sign officially today. I think she was trying to see if there were any better options out there. (Laughs) No I'm just kidding."
To understand why this is a special moment, you have to know where Hannah has been.
Heather Snyder said, "When she was nine we finally made the leap of faith and prayed a lot. We went in and they took out that area of her brain that was causing the most problems with her seizures."
Before she was born, Hannah suffered a blood clot in her brain, damaging the right hemisphere and causing a stroke. The damage afflicted Hannah with cerebral palsy. She also suffers from epilepsy, so athletics aren't in the cards for the 7th grader.
Snyder said, "She's been a strong and brave little girl. There's been a lot of things she can't do, but we just try to focus on what she can do."
When they heard about Hannah's story, Coach Julie Goodenough and the Wildcats joined up with Team Impact to meet the 14 year old.
Snyder said, "They've just welcomed her, and it's been so nice to be able to come. Every time they see her they give her a hug and give me a hug, and it's just like we're a part of the family."
So now the 19-3 Wildcats have a little extra firepower coming from the bench, and no matter the outcome they'll have their number one fan cheering them on.
Goodenough said, "That young lady has fought more battles than anyone on our team has had to fight. She's had to battle though surgeries and medical issues. Every time we see her, she just smiles really big."
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Julie Goodenough said, "Number 42 from Albany, TX, Hannah Snyder."
Hannah Snyder, a 7th grader from Albany, signed her letter of intent, and received her jersey from the Wildcats.
Goodenough said, "We've known her for several months and finally got her to sign officially today. I think she was trying to see if there were any better options out there. (Laughs) No I'm just kidding."
To understand why this is a special moment, you have to know where Hannah has been.
Heather Snyder said, "When she was nine we finally made the leap of faith and prayed a lot. We went in and they took out that area of her brain that was causing the most problems with her seizures."
Before she was born, Hannah suffered a blood clot in her brain, damaging the right hemisphere and causing a stroke. The damage afflicted Hannah with cerebral palsy. She also suffers from epilepsy, so athletics aren't in the cards for the 7th grader.
Snyder said, "She's been a strong and brave little girl. There's been a lot of things she can't do, but we just try to focus on what she can do."
When they heard about Hannah's story, Coach Julie Goodenough and the Wildcats joined up with Team Impact to meet the 14 year old.
Snyder said, "They've just welcomed her, and it's been so nice to be able to come. Every time they see her they give her a hug and give me a hug, and it's just like we're a part of the family."
So now the 19-3 Wildcats have a little extra firepower coming from the bench, and no matter the outcome they'll have their number one fan cheering them on.
Goodenough said, "That young lady has fought more battles than anyone on our team has had to fight. She's had to battle though surgeries and medical issues. Every time we see her, she just smiles really big."
More...