CHAMPAIGN— Fans crowded into State Farm Center on April 17 and 18 to cheer on the Fighting Illini during the 2026 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics National Championship. But one family in particular has had the support of the Illini all season long.
Nine-year-old Owen Besch began to lose his hearing at one year old. His mother, Heather Besch, said the family is not sure why that was the case. Owen began using a hearing aid, but two years later, he lost his hearing in both of his ears and now wears bilateral cochlear implants.
“He just never made progress talking,” Heather said. “He tries, but the words just don’t want to come out.”
Owen communicates through total communication, an approach that helps children with hearing loss use body language, lip reading, and natural gestures. Owen also uses Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology, sign language, and tries to verbally speak with others.
As time went on, Owen developed an interest in gymnastics. Heather said Owen has always been into flipping and running around, adding that he has no fear of heights. That interest gravitated him towards the sport of gymnastics.
The Besch family reached out to Team Impact. This organization was founded in 2011 and is built on making sure kids develop socially and never feel alone. They have connected more than 4,000 kids with 800+ colleges across the country. Their vision is “to create a world where every child facing serious illness and disability feels supported by something bigger and every team is transformed by a greater purpose.”
When the group met with the Besch family, they got in contact with the Fighting Illini Gymnastics team. Since November 2025, Owen has been a part of the team the whole way through. He walked out with the team in every home meet and took part in a signing day the team hosted for him. The entire group got invited to be part of the championship weekend at State Farm Center.
“We did not know what to expect coming into this,” said Heather. “Having Team Impact constantly reaching out, making sure everything is okay, and the team being very supportive has been just an amazing experience for us.”
Illinois head coach Daniel Ribeiro explained that interacting with Owen has also had an impact on the team.
“Owen is awesome. He was able to march out with us at all of our home meets,” said Ribeiro. “For both him and the guys [athletes], it is such a powerful experience to just be a big brother.”
Owen’s father, R.J. Besch, said his son has enjoyed being around the team and getting to experience what high school athletes would go through.
“The team welcomed him in and had a signing day for him…they encouraged him to run around the gym and do whatever he wants, it is just really fun to see,” said R.J.
Heather said she was humbled to see all the players come out just for Owen and support the whole family. In a gymnasium full of decorations and a table where the team gathered around to welcome Owen to be an official part of the Fighting Illini family.
“It was at like 9 am on a Saturday, so they didn’t have to be there,” said Heather. “Just seeing all the work they went through to make him feel special and a part of the team, he was just in awe.”
It is not just supporting Owen on meet days, it is also spending time with him outside in his world and being part of his life in a close friendship.
“We went this weekend with them, and they were so encouraging when he was trying to do the ladder bars on the playground,” said Heather. “[Owen] stopped and they kept on saying ‘One more, one more,’ and he continued to go.”
The Besch family is looking forward to building their relationship with the gymnastics team and with Team Impact.
“We are just happy to see [Owen] so excited…it’s been nice for him to get to actually participate because he doesn’t usually get to participate in sports,” said Heather.
As the family watches from the stands, they will cheer on the Illini and support the team that has been there for Owen.