UNION--The Kean football team officially welcomed Tommy Frankel to the program, as the Cougars adopted the 12-year old Tommy through the “Friends of Jaclyn” Organization on March 25. Joined by his parents, Andrea and Steve, and younger sister, Nicole, Tommy was welcomed by Kean University President Dr. Dawood Farahi and Head Coach Dan Garrett during an adoption ceremony at Kean Hall. Tommy was diagnosed with germinoma, a rare brain tumor, on September 2, 2008. 

Friends of Jaclyn was inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor in March 2004 when she was nine-years old. FOJ looks to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. Jaclyn's strength and courage, relentless spirit, and joy for life are an inspiration to those who know her. Jaclyn's wish is "for all the children in the hospitals to be healed." 

Denis Murphy, the father of Jaclyn and founder of FOJ, and Dennis Lam, a fellow FOJ parent, also took part in the program, sharing their inspirational stories with the football and women’s soccer teams and members of the Kean athletics department. The Frankels also shared their journey, while football players Sean Atkins, TJ Denehy and Anthony Arimenta expressed how the experience has already impacted the football team and how they look forward to including Tommy as a member of their team and the Kean athletic department. 

“This is a chance for Kean football to put into action everything we instill in the players,” Garrett stated.  “We constantly talk about character and this is an opportunity for us to have a huge impact in Tommy’s life and in his family’s life. At the same time they are teaching us the lessons of love, life and family that can’t be learned in the classroom or on the field.” 

Garrett presented Tommy with his own official Kean football jersey and Tommy and his family later had a chance to meet the members of the Kean football team and women’s soccer program. 

“It is an honor for us to be involved with such a great foundation like Friends of Jaclyn,” said Garrett. Tommy has inspired and impacted a lot of lives in such a short period of time with the Kean athletics department. We look forward to having him and his family at games and Kean functions.”

The family’s journey already included a tie with the University, as Andrea Frankel, Tommy’s mom, received her master’s degree from Kean in 2009. 

FOJ has also created a siblings adoption program called Safe on the Sidelines, to give the siblings the opportunity to experience the special relationship with a team. Younger sister Nicole will officially be paired up with the Kean softball team later this spring. 

“This goes beyond anything that can be experienced on the playing field,” said Garrett. “The Kean athletic department and the Frankel family have formed a bond that will see both rooting for each other in life and on the field. “