- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,268,710
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Just as Maryland women’s basketball’s 2025-26 Senior Day ceremonies appeared to be finished, head coach Brenda Frese took the microphone to honor one final Terp.
When 17-year-old Sophie Rupolo’s name was announced, she ran to give Frese a big hug.
“I was really surprised. I was crying happy tears,” Sophie said. “People clapped for me. I’ve never seen that happen. I never felt that way before.”
Sophie has Williams Syndrome – a rare genetic condition. She has spent the past three seasons as Maryland’s “Team IMPACT.”
Team IMPACT is the program that brought Sophie to the Terps. It connects children battling serious or chronic illnesses with college teams to form lifelong bonds and achieve life-changing outcomes.
“On senior day, having it be a finale, you wouldn’t be emotional if it didn’t mean something,” Saylor Poffenbarger said. “Her having emotion just shows how important we all are to her. And likewise, she’s just as important to us.”
A strong relationship with Saylor Poffenbarger
Before last season, Poffenbarger transferred to her hometown program. She couldn’t have expected Sophie to be somebody to develop a relationship with — and now it’s one of her deepest relationships in the program.
“I feel very close to Sophie. I feel like I make her feel comfortable. I make her feel safe in the setting that we’re in,” Poffenbarger said. “When she comes to basketball, I gravitate towards Sophie.”
The same can be said for Sophie; every time Poffenbarger’s name was mentioned, her eyes lit up.
When Poffenbarger transferred to the Terps, Sophie said that the forward came right up to her before games, going out of her way to give a big hug.
“She’s really nice to me,” Sophie said of Poffenbarger. Sophie fondly recalled a time when Poffenbarger said to her, “Oh, I love you, girl.”
Throughout the past two seasons, Poffenbarger has made a point of making Sophie feel like part of the team.
“I am very intentional about being around Sophie and making sure she feels comfortable,” Poffenbarger said. “Her family does an amazing job. They’re amazing people, but they’re with Sophie all of the time. So when she’s with basketball, I try to take her and have fun with her, and show her that she’s our teammate.”
Recently, Sophie’s family nominated Poffenbarger for the Team IMPACT Award for her relationship with Sophie.
How Sophie got involved with the Terps
Beyond Poffenbarger, the rest of the team also gravitates toward Sophie. Trips to Dave & Buster’s and meals at her family’s house are some of the many activities she and the team have shared.
“She’s essentially that 16th player for us. Everything that we do as a team, she’s invited to,” assistant coach Kaitlynn Fratz said. “[Team IMPACT is] a two-year program, but then you’re family for life.”
The program is only supposed to last two seasons, but Sophie was extended for a year because of the changing nature of college sports. She wasn’t able to build meaningful connections with the team in her first season because many of those players left.
Maryland had previously had a Team IMPACT member, but the role was empty before Sophie joined. Fratz wanted the team to work with the program once again, and Sophie’s application ended up a match.
“Everybody kept sharing about their Team IMPACT. Some people that I’m friendly with, I reached out to and they shared how they got involved,” said Erin Rupolo, Sophie’s mom. “I decided to go ahead and apply. When they asked us what school we want to go with, I basically said only Maryland… She’s been engrossed in Maryland basketball since she was a baby.”
Fratz took the lead on bringing Sophie on, and it has resulted in a lifelong relationship between her family and the Terps.
“They sent Sophie’s profile that said she was local, a big Maryland fan, and it was a perfect fit for us,” Fratz said.
Before the IMPACT program, Sophie consistently went to Maryland men’s and women’s basketball games. But Sophie’s mom explained that her love for the Terps and the sport has taken a life of its own.
“She’s really learned the game, it’s really cool watching her. She’ll call foul on a player before I’ve seen it.” Erin Rupolo said. “We can’t always get out what she wants to say, but I know what’s in there. And to see her watch it, really get into it and feel the emotion, it’s been really cool as a parent.”
As Maryland heads into the NCAA Tournament in North Carolina, Sophie and her family weren’t in attendance for at least the opening round game against Murray State. The road games are difficult to attend. That said, even if Sophie isn’t in the building, her impact on the team is.
Sophie made it clear that she is passionate about every game the Terps play. She loves it when they win — certainly not as much when they lose. But during her time with the team, she has seen a lot more wins than losses.
Sophie’s relationship with Maryland’s players and coaches has created what Sophie described as “Friendship, family, and lots of hugs.”
Continue reading...
