Grand Canyon University Athletics
Baseball's Newest 'Teammate' Brings Heart, Smiles to Game
12/29/2015 9:10:00 PM | Baseball, S-A Development
PHOENIX - While it may spike during the holiday season, student-athletes at Grand Canyon are always looking to give back to the community. During this season of giving, the GCU baseball team found the newest member of its family, someone to inspire each individual and remind them on a daily basis that playing the game of baseball is a privilege that can push them through the struggles in their daily lives.
Head coach Andy Stankiewicz and his baseball team have taken 10-year old Landon Priest into their family. Priest is battling multiple health issues and yet still exudes a vibrant and cheerful personality that has rubbed off on this year's Antelopes. Landon and the GCU baseball team were brought together by Team IMPACT, a national organization based in Boston that looks to improve the quality of life for children that are facing life-threatening illnesses.
"It means so much to our team to help out a kid like Landon," senior outfielder Brandon Smith said. "As a team, we are all getting older so there is a generation gap, but Landon has taught us what the game is about. To see him smile means everything to us."
Krystal Schripsema is a single parent who has provided everything for Landon while balancing work and being at home for her son. Krystal has faced many obstacles since Landon was diagnosed with autism a few years ago. He also suffers seizures. As the years have gone on and the trips to the hospital became frequent, Landon was diagnosed with an immunodeficiency problem where his body is not capable of handling an immune response. Basically, when germs enter Landon's system, his body struggles to fight them off.
"He is such a strong kid and he does not let anything get him down," the proud mother, Krystal, said.
After multiple visits monthly to the hospital for infusions, Krystal took Landon to a clinic in Ohio where they found out that the bottom part of Landon's colon does not function completely. Landon now has a central line attached to his heart so that he can receive medication without puncturing a vain.
After multiple illnesses Landon has been diagnosed with, his huge heart has pumped life into GCU's baseball program.
"A smile at the end of the day can go a long ways," Smith reflected about what the team has learned from Landon. "This kid makes us laugh and is always trying to joke with us."
Apparently Landon's signature joke is by scaring people, including his mom - and now a bunch of 18 to 22-year-olds who happen to play baseball.
"Sometimes we try to define our problems through sports and school," Smith said. "But we have to remember there are bigger things in this world. Landon is going through so much and to be happy through all of that is something amazing."
Landon hasn't allowed this sickness to define his life and the Lopes wanted Landon to be a part of their journey. Earlier this year, Landon made the trip to Brazell Stadium on the campus of GCU where the team welcomed him to practice. Landon got to hang out like one of the guys on the team and practice ended with Landon on the shoulders of GCU players in the team huddle.
As a member of the family, the team went and visited Landon at the hospital during the holiday season to deliver his Christmas present. It wasn't Santa who brought joy to Landon during Christmas, but rather a group of young adults pitching in money from the entire team to buy Landon a Wii U game console. Filled with joy, Landon was able to play some video games at the hospital with team members, bringing a smile to a kid's face.
"It means so much to me that GCU baseball has taken Landon in because he gets bored of me pretty quick," Krystal said with a chuckle. "He is into baseball, and being a single mom, it is just me and him at the hospital most of the time so to have a group of guys he can call his friends means the world to us."
As the year draws to a close, many are thankful for blessings in their life. Landon is blessed for each day and the 10-year-old has shown that by staring his illnesses in the face every day and refusing to quit. Through his perseverance, Landon has developed 38 new friendships with guys who he can now call his older brothers.
Head coach Andy Stankiewicz and his baseball team have taken 10-year old Landon Priest into their family. Priest is battling multiple health issues and yet still exudes a vibrant and cheerful personality that has rubbed off on this year's Antelopes. Landon and the GCU baseball team were brought together by Team IMPACT, a national organization based in Boston that looks to improve the quality of life for children that are facing life-threatening illnesses.
"It means so much to our team to help out a kid like Landon," senior outfielder Brandon Smith said. "As a team, we are all getting older so there is a generation gap, but Landon has taught us what the game is about. To see him smile means everything to us."
Krystal Schripsema is a single parent who has provided everything for Landon while balancing work and being at home for her son. Krystal has faced many obstacles since Landon was diagnosed with autism a few years ago. He also suffers seizures. As the years have gone on and the trips to the hospital became frequent, Landon was diagnosed with an immunodeficiency problem where his body is not capable of handling an immune response. Basically, when germs enter Landon's system, his body struggles to fight them off.
"He is such a strong kid and he does not let anything get him down," the proud mother, Krystal, said.
After multiple visits monthly to the hospital for infusions, Krystal took Landon to a clinic in Ohio where they found out that the bottom part of Landon's colon does not function completely. Landon now has a central line attached to his heart so that he can receive medication without puncturing a vain.
After multiple illnesses Landon has been diagnosed with, his huge heart has pumped life into GCU's baseball program.
"A smile at the end of the day can go a long ways," Smith reflected about what the team has learned from Landon. "This kid makes us laugh and is always trying to joke with us."
Apparently Landon's signature joke is by scaring people, including his mom - and now a bunch of 18 to 22-year-olds who happen to play baseball.
"Sometimes we try to define our problems through sports and school," Smith said. "But we have to remember there are bigger things in this world. Landon is going through so much and to be happy through all of that is something amazing."
Landon hasn't allowed this sickness to define his life and the Lopes wanted Landon to be a part of their journey. Earlier this year, Landon made the trip to Brazell Stadium on the campus of GCU where the team welcomed him to practice. Landon got to hang out like one of the guys on the team and practice ended with Landon on the shoulders of GCU players in the team huddle.
As a member of the family, the team went and visited Landon at the hospital during the holiday season to deliver his Christmas present. It wasn't Santa who brought joy to Landon during Christmas, but rather a group of young adults pitching in money from the entire team to buy Landon a Wii U game console. Filled with joy, Landon was able to play some video games at the hospital with team members, bringing a smile to a kid's face.
"It means so much to me that GCU baseball has taken Landon in because he gets bored of me pretty quick," Krystal said with a chuckle. "He is into baseball, and being a single mom, it is just me and him at the hospital most of the time so to have a group of guys he can call his friends means the world to us."
As the year draws to a close, many are thankful for blessings in their life. Landon is blessed for each day and the 10-year-old has shown that by staring his illnesses in the face every day and refusing to quit. Through his perseverance, Landon has developed 38 new friendships with guys who he can now call his older brothers.
Players Mentioned
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