Caden Templet, 7, with his LSU teammates. Photo credit: LSU athletics
It turns out that LSU has had a secret weapon in their march to Omaha and the College World Series.
Caden Templet, 7, of Covington is battling Burkitt’s lymphoma and was paired with the Tigers baseball team through Team IMPACT, which matches children facing serious illnesses with college sports teams.
“He had his own official signing day, just like college athletes have when they’re committing to a team coming out of high school,” says Lynn LaRocca, senior case manager at Team IMPACT.
LaRocca says Caden has been with the team throughout the season.
“His favorite part of games is when there’s a rain delay, because then he gets to play ping pong with the guys,” says LaRocca. “You can find him doing dances and cheers in the stands.”
LaRocca says Caden, however, will not be joining the team in Omaha – not yet, at least.
“They will not be traveling to Omaha this weekend, but our hope is that as LSU continues to advance, that’s a conversation that Team IMPACT and LSU will have with the family about trying to get Caden and a parent out to the World Series,” LaRocca says.
LaRocca says through the years, Team IMPACT has matched more than 4,000 kids battling serious medical issues with college sports teams, and they take several things into consideration, including the kids’ favorite sports and the closest schools to where they live.
“90 minutes to two hours is sort of our max,” says LaRocca, “because our expectation is that you’re spending time with each other two to four times per month.”
Caden Templet, 7, during his signing ceremony with LSU baseball. Photo credit: LSU athletics
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