Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Brandenburg/Temple University
Temple’s Newest Owl: Men’s Basketball Signs 6-Year-Old Mason Wyckoff
1.19.18 | Men's Basketball, Outreach
It was a momentous day for the Temple University Men's Basketball program as they acquired arguably the nation's most valuable recruit: 6-year-old Mason Wyckoff.
Mason is a 6-year-old boy from Bristol, PA who battles a condition called Common Variable Immunity Deficiency (CVID), preventing his immune system from functioning properly. The Temple men's basketball team adopted him today through the Team Impact program, allowing him to sign his National Letter of Intent and become an official Temple Owl.
From the moment he walked into the room, it was clear that Mason was fit to be an Owl. As he glowed in his Cherry gear carrying his Temple Owl named "Hootie", he looked directly at his new head coach, Fran Dunphy, expressing his excitement for "Draft Day".
"He has a challenge in front of him, but he meets it greatly every single week," Dunphy expressed. "He has a battle, but he doesn't fear it. He faces it with great courage and is a role model for us."
Mason has exactly what it takes to be a part of the Temple men's basketball program: he is a trueborn fighter. He spent the first year of his life in and out of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and has not stopped fighting since. Starting when he was just 14 months old, Mason has received IVIG infusions monthly, subcutaneous infusions weekly and regiment of vitamins and medication on a daily basis.
But, this has not stopped Mason from being the young, charismatic six-year-old that he is today. At a very young age, he learned that through adversity comes strength, and he shows it every day. Because of this, Mason is truly an inspiration to anyone who has crossed paths with him.
Mason proudly sat next to Coach Dunphy and was surrounded by the Temple men's basketball team, there to watch their newest teammate sign his National Letter of Intent.
When asked his vital statistics, Mason responded that he charts in at an ideal 4 foot 2 inches for the Owls. With this information, one reporter asked where Coach Dunphy envisions Mason playing for Temple.
"I think he's going to be able to play inside for us, even at his size," Dunphy responded. "He should be able to dunk over some of our taller guys."
To this, the reporter established that Mason must have some "serious hops", and asked him how much he weighs.
"I'm pretty heavy", Mason proudly replied.
After a reporter asked who his favorite men's basketball player was, Mason excitedly pointed to sophomore center Damion Moore. To Mason's surprise, Damion then presented him with his very own "Wyckoff" Temple University men's basketball jersey.
Mason was speechless at the gesture, and expressed that his favorite part of basketball is watching them "make slam dunks".
The Temple men's basketball squad is honored to welcome its newest player this season. Each day, they will learn through Mason as he embodies the Temple athletics motto to the fullest extent, exemplifying true fortitude and showing everyone who has the opportunity to meet him that Greatness Doesn't Quit.
Mason is a 6-year-old boy from Bristol, PA who battles a condition called Common Variable Immunity Deficiency (CVID), preventing his immune system from functioning properly. The Temple men's basketball team adopted him today through the Team Impact program, allowing him to sign his National Letter of Intent and become an official Temple Owl.
From the moment he walked into the room, it was clear that Mason was fit to be an Owl. As he glowed in his Cherry gear carrying his Temple Owl named "Hootie", he looked directly at his new head coach, Fran Dunphy, expressing his excitement for "Draft Day".
"He has a challenge in front of him, but he meets it greatly every single week," Dunphy expressed. "He has a battle, but he doesn't fear it. He faces it with great courage and is a role model for us."
Mason has exactly what it takes to be a part of the Temple men's basketball program: he is a trueborn fighter. He spent the first year of his life in and out of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and has not stopped fighting since. Starting when he was just 14 months old, Mason has received IVIG infusions monthly, subcutaneous infusions weekly and regiment of vitamins and medication on a daily basis.
But, this has not stopped Mason from being the young, charismatic six-year-old that he is today. At a very young age, he learned that through adversity comes strength, and he shows it every day. Because of this, Mason is truly an inspiration to anyone who has crossed paths with him.
Mason proudly sat next to Coach Dunphy and was surrounded by the Temple men's basketball team, there to watch their newest teammate sign his National Letter of Intent.
When asked his vital statistics, Mason responded that he charts in at an ideal 4 foot 2 inches for the Owls. With this information, one reporter asked where Coach Dunphy envisions Mason playing for Temple.
"I think he's going to be able to play inside for us, even at his size," Dunphy responded. "He should be able to dunk over some of our taller guys."
To this, the reporter established that Mason must have some "serious hops", and asked him how much he weighs.
"I'm pretty heavy", Mason proudly replied.
After a reporter asked who his favorite men's basketball player was, Mason excitedly pointed to sophomore center Damion Moore. To Mason's surprise, Damion then presented him with his very own "Wyckoff" Temple University men's basketball jersey.
Mason was speechless at the gesture, and expressed that his favorite part of basketball is watching them "make slam dunks".
The Temple men's basketball squad is honored to welcome its newest player this season. Each day, they will learn through Mason as he embodies the Temple athletics motto to the fullest extent, exemplifying true fortitude and showing everyone who has the opportunity to meet him that Greatness Doesn't Quit.
Players Mentioned
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