The Toledo softball program announced the addition of Team IMPACT signee Kelsie Cousino on Monday.
Kelsie Cousino Signs with Toledo Softball Through Team IMPACT
1/27/2025 11:00:00 AM | Softball
12 year-old Michigan native matched with Toledo's program for next two years
TOLEDO, Ohio – University of Toledo softball head coach Jessica Bracamonte and the 2025 team are honored to announce the addition of Kelsie Cousino to the program in partnership with Team IMPACT. Team IMPACT works to match children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college sport teams to create long-term, life-changing experiences for everyone involved.
"Kelsie has been such a wonderful addition to our softball family," said Bracamonte. "Love, energy, and resilience are three highly valued qualities in our program and Kelsie brings all three and so much more. She has shown us what it looks like to smile and remain positive through adversity - the true meaning of toughness. We are thankful to Team IMPACT for the opportunity to connect with someone as special as Kelsie and are excited to officially welcome her and her family."
Cousino suffers from Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body, including the heart, blood vessels, and brain. Kelsie and her family, Andy (father), Jackie (mother), Cole (brother) are from Erie, Mich. Kelsie is a member of two swim teams, a dance team and also cheers for youth football. She loves animals, tubing and knee boarding on the lake, going shopping and listening to music. In the future, Kelsie wants to be an actress.
Kelsie's mom, Jackie, owns a non-profit called Race for Kids which helps to raise funds for kids in their community that are battling life-threatening illnesses. Kelsie loves to spend time at Race for Kids events with her mom.
"Our family is so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Team IMPACT and the University of Toledo Softball Program," said Jackie Cousino. "Kelsie is overjoyed to be a member of the UT softball family! For Kelsie, being embraced by a team that uplifts and encourages her has been so positive already. It provides her with friendships, positive role models, and experiences that make her feel valued and included. Team Impact and the Toledo softball program empower her to face all of her medical challenges with resilience, reminding her that she's not alone in her journey. Our family cannot thank the coaches and players for all they have already done to include Kelsie in their everyday lives! We are so blessed!"
By signing, Kelsie and her family will be paired with Toledo softball for the next two seasons.Â
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
"Kelsie has been such a wonderful addition to our softball family," said Bracamonte. "Love, energy, and resilience are three highly valued qualities in our program and Kelsie brings all three and so much more. She has shown us what it looks like to smile and remain positive through adversity - the true meaning of toughness. We are thankful to Team IMPACT for the opportunity to connect with someone as special as Kelsie and are excited to officially welcome her and her family."
Cousino suffers from Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body, including the heart, blood vessels, and brain. Kelsie and her family, Andy (father), Jackie (mother), Cole (brother) are from Erie, Mich. Kelsie is a member of two swim teams, a dance team and also cheers for youth football. She loves animals, tubing and knee boarding on the lake, going shopping and listening to music. In the future, Kelsie wants to be an actress.
Kelsie's mom, Jackie, owns a non-profit called Race for Kids which helps to raise funds for kids in their community that are battling life-threatening illnesses. Kelsie loves to spend time at Race for Kids events with her mom.
"Our family is so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Team IMPACT and the University of Toledo Softball Program," said Jackie Cousino. "Kelsie is overjoyed to be a member of the UT softball family! For Kelsie, being embraced by a team that uplifts and encourages her has been so positive already. It provides her with friendships, positive role models, and experiences that make her feel valued and included. Team Impact and the Toledo softball program empower her to face all of her medical challenges with resilience, reminding her that she's not alone in her journey. Our family cannot thank the coaches and players for all they have already done to include Kelsie in their everyday lives! We are so blessed!"
By signing, Kelsie and her family will be paired with Toledo softball for the next two seasons.Â
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Toledo Softball - 2025 Season Highlights
Monday, May 05
Toledo Softball vs BGSU - Battle of I-75
Thursday, May 01
Jessica Bracamonte Press Conference
Thursday, July 07
Game 2 Highlights vs. Akron (May 15)
Saturday, May 15
