Young fan realizes dream, joins Rutgers basketball team

PISCATAWAY – Sean Moffitt suffered a stroke shortly after his birth as a six-week preemie. Doctors said he probably would never walk or talk. Yet there he was Thursday, an enthused 11-year-old corralling rebounds as Rutgers men's basketball forward Greg Lewis shot around at the Louis Brown Athletic Center.

Then it was over to the media room, where Sean entered to a standing ovation from the Scarlet Knights and signed a "letter of intent" to join the program as its newest player. Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan presented him with a Rutgers jersey (No. 1) and welcomed him to the team.

"Sean's going to be at all the practices he wants," Jordan said. "On the floor, in games, in the locker room---everything the players will do, he's able to do. Except he'll make more shots."

Rutgers adopted Moffitt through Boston-based Team IMPACT, which seeks to improve the quality of life for kids facing serious or chronic illnesses by matching them up with college sports teams. The North Brunswick resident is a big fan of the Scarlet Knights and his parents reached out to Team IMPACT after hearing that the Rutgers men's lacrosse team did something similar last spring.

"This is really amazing for him," mom Beth Moffitt said. "He may not have the opportunity to be on a college basketball team. And he's always wanted brothers."

Though Sean has limited use of his right arm and right leg, he gets around pretty well with the leg in a brace.

"He can't tie his shoes, can't hold a fork and a knife, things we take for granted every day, but he's a fighter," Beth Moffitt said. "If someone says he can't do something, he finds a way to do it."

During the press conference, Sean said promised to feed the post and two of this favorite players, big men Kadeem Jack and Lewis.

"I'm so excited that I'm officially a basketball player on the Rutgers basketball team," he said, beaming ear to ear.

"This is special for him and it's special for me," Jack said. "A lot of people his age don't get opportunities like this; a lot of people my age don't get opportunities like this."

Sean has undergone multiple surgeries over the years, including one that left him wheelchair-bound for the summer of 2013. Jordan said Moffitt's resiliency and effort fit right in to the culture he's trying to build.

"That's our rallying cry, our mantra," the coach said. "That's what Sean has displayed in his life."

The players visited Moffitt at home recently. His room is decked out with Rutgers paraphernalia.

"His whole clothing line is Rutgers," his mom said.

Now he has an official team jersey to add to the rack.

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@MyCentralJersey.com