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An IMPACTful Addition After surviving a brain tumor early in his life, 16-year-old Conlan Shaw has built a strong relationship with the men's volleyball team through team impact

By Luke Whitehouse

Fans began to pour into Blake Arena for the highly anticipated men’s volleyball matchup between No. 2 Vassar College and No. 4 Springfield College on March 21. The atmosphere was electric, the intensity was unmatched and the game was sure to be tightly fought. From the opening serve, the Springfield bench was alive – shouting and clapping after every point. Among them stood a boy who was short in stature compared to his counterparts, but who fit right in with the group of players cheering on the team. That boy is 16-year-old Conlan Shaw, and he has become a catalyst for the Pride over the past two seasons.

The Springfield men’s volleyball team had been searching for a kid to integrate into their team through Team IMPACT – a program that matches children facing serious illness and disabilities with college sports teams across the country. For years, Springfield College has worked closely with the organization and many kids have become a part of Pride athletic teams. One sport, though, had not yet participated.

“I thought it was a great idea for the team and the participant, but did not know if I had the personnel for it,” said Springfield head volleyball coach Charlie Sullivan. “Then I got the group of guys I have now and I knew they would be great at it. There's not one person who’s a taker – they all give more than they take and that's what it takes to have a successful Team IMPACT member on your team.”

Sullivan reached out to Michelle Lee Scecina, Springfield’s Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Well-Being, and told her that the team would like to add a Team IMPACT member. In the winter of 2021, Conlan became part of the Springfield College family.

The leap of faith into the unknown was a risk. Conlan’s mother, Carina Shaw, and her family had never seen a men's volleyball game before or even stepped foot on the Springfield College campus before, but she knew this had the potential to be a bright spot in her son's life – something he needed and deserved, after all that he’d been through.

In the summer of 2008, Conlan was a typical toddler. He was learning how to walk, talk and navigate the adaptations that came with life. Something was off, though, and Carina noticed a few peculiarities pretty early.

“He'd often walk into things,” Carina said. “He'd also vomit occasionally [too].”

Carina began to bring Conlan to doctor’s appointments, where they would attempt to rule out potential causes like allergies.

One day, however, something changed.

In August, Carina and her family went to the beach, hoping to enjoy the beautiful summer weather and lift their spirits. But for Carina, this particular day brought concern.

“Typically, 27-month-olds, they are running all over the place,” Carina said. “But [Conlan] wasn't. Down on the beach he played for maybe five minutes, and then he passed out.”

By the time the Shaws returned home from their long weekend, Conlan had become very sick.

After many previous doctor’s appointments produced no answers, Carina was determined to find out what was ailing her son.

“I was at the point where I was finally like, ‘There's something wrong, and we need to get to the bottom of this,’” Carina said. “I don't know if it was mother’s intuition or what, but I had a feeling it was a brain tumor.”

Carina demanded bloodwork be done, as well as a CAT scan. As she awaited the results, she noticed that individuals were walking in and out of the room to look at the pictures that the scan had produced. At that point, she knew something was wrong.

A few moments later, a neurosurgeon and an oncologist entered the room and told her that they had indeed found a cancerous brain tumor. The tumor was putting significant pressure on Conlan’s brain – causing his balance to be significantly affected. In addition to hindering his balance, the tumor could have had an even bigger impact on his life.

“They said we were lucky we found it when we did, because he was on the verge of not making it,” Carina said.

The doctors admitted Conlan and immediately scheduled surgery.

On Aug. 29, 2008, just three days after his diagnosis, Conlan underwent a 10-hour surgery, which removed 98% of the tumor. But during the surgery, Conlan suffered a stroke, leaving him with paralysis on his right side.

The operation left him blind in his right eye, but otherwise his prognosis was good. Although two percent of the tumor remained, doctors believed that it would stay dormant.

But when Conlan went in for a follow-up MRI in October, they found that the tumor had doubled in size, and was growing at a rapid rate.

He underwent multiple chemotherapy treatments to stop it from growing. But for Carina, her husband Cory and older son and daughter, more bad news was on the way. During an MRI the following May, the doctors discovered that the tumor was growing again – meaning that Conlan had to continue chemo protocols. He underwent four different chemo treatments until – in October 2010, exactly two years after he had been diagnosed – Conlan was declared cancer-free.

Although he still has to take medicine for his pituitary and adrenal gland to function, as well as medicine for his hormones, sodium diabetes, adrenal gland and a testosterone supplement, Conlan has learned to live to the fullest.

“Since [the chemo ended] he worked with [all of the obstacles] pretty good,” Carina said. “He's always got a smile on his face.”

As Conlan grew older, he attended various camps, including the Hole In The Wall Camp in Ashford, Conn., which was designed for children with major medical conditions. There, Conlan was able to participate in sports and other activities such as woodworking and cooking. Through this camp, Carina learned about Team IMPACT. She was interested, but couldn't jump in immediately due to the amount of transportation it would take and only having one available vehicle.

In the winter of 2022, after finally having two cars, the time had come.

“I'm like, I'm gonna go for this,” Carina said. “I'm gonna give it a shot.”

When her contact at Team IMPACT suggested the men’s volleyball team, she was wary, but she was sold on the culture of Springfield College – specifically the Sullivan’s crew. She knew that Conlan was up for the opportunity.

“He's very adaptable,” Carina said. “When it comes to meeting new people, if you talk to him he connects with you.”

She also connected with Sullivan.

“Honestly, almost immediately I knew,” Carina said. “[Coach Sullivan] and the guys were so welcoming and accepting.”

Sullivan echoed that sentiment.

“It didn't take long at all,” Sullivan said. “Our guys have never been anything but awesome. They welcomed Conlan with open arms. They've gone over the top, always reaching out to make him feel welcome.”

Sullivan also added: “It's a rolling reciprocal relationship – they give to Conlan and Conlan gives back to them.”

Shaw (left) and Pride head coach Charlie Sullivan celebrated after Springfield won the 2023 Hall of Fame Morgan Classic.

Conlan was officially introduced at a "signing day" press conference on March 22 in the Springfield Campus Union. From then on, he joined the team for games, practices and other events.

“I think it's just everything to him,” Carina said. “He’s really part of the team and [the guys] have really made it that way.”

Conlan felt most connected to the team when Springfield advanced to the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball National Championships in April of 2022. Team IMPACT contacted Carina and offered to send her and Conlan to the championship game in Kenosha, Wis.

At the next practice, Sullivan and the team announced to Conlan that he was going with them to Wisconsin.

“I got goosebumps,” Conlan said, recalling the moment. “It was a really great experience. I enjoyed being around the team.”

Unfortunately, Springfield fell to Carthage College in the national championship game in four sets. But for Conlan and the team, it proved to be an unforgettable journey.

“I got to walk right behind him [as we got called out],” said Chris Rouleau, a sophomore middle blocker for the Pride. “I could just tell how excited he was leading us out. It was super cool.”

The second season has been even more enjoyable than the first for Conlan, as he continues to attend one or two practices a week in addition to being on the bench for every home game. He also attends team dinner once a week – which creates an even deeper bond. His friendships with the players – who, according to Carina, are like his big brothers – have boosted his self esteem greatly.

“The whole thing has been amazing,” Carina said. “I actually see a big difference in his positivity and how he interacts with people.”

Rouleau, who often interacts with Conlan, has felt his effect on the team from day one:

“You can ask any guy on the team, they would agree that he brings this sort of energy to the gym that only he can bring,” Rouleau said. “He comes in and puts a smile on everyone's faces regardless of how their day is going.”

Shaw (left) stands with the team on the sidelines, as he does for every home game.

Over winter break, at the start of Conlan’s second season with the Pride, he was texting one of the older players on the team. Carina noticed that he was asking for one thing in particular: a pair of Jordans. At first she felt bad that her son was asking for such an expensive item.

“If he wants something, he's going to ask you,” Carina said with a chuckle.

And so she downplayed it, and apologized.

But the team took it as a chance to give Conlan the perfect Christmas present.

With each member chipping in a small amount, the team bought Conlan a pair of maroon-and-white Jordans – Springfield colors, of course.

At practice a few days later, the team joined together to give Conlan his gift.

“We said, ‘Listen, Conlan, you've given a lot to us,’” Rouleau said. “We want to give you a little Christmas present.”

Whenhe opened up the box, and saw what was inside, he was overjoyed.

“I felt really excited,” Conlan said. “I was also so surprised.”

With Conlan by their side, the Pride are once again in the midst of a very successful season. And the team has inspired Conlan as well. He now participates in Unified Sports at Enfield High School. He even added volleyball as one of his sports.

For Carina and her family, a decision that started with “Let’s give this a shot,” has turned out to be the best thing that's happened to her son.

“The team has just been amazing,” Carina said. “I couldn't have asked for a better match.”

Credits:

Luke Whitehouse/ Carina Shaw/ Springfield College Athletics