On Oct. 31, 2017, the Oakland men's soccer team announced the signing of Alex VanHolder as an honorary team member in conjunction with Draft Day and Team IMPACT. VanHolder participated in team activities such as practice, coaching, warm ups, attended home matches and traveled to the cheer on the Golden Grizzlies to wins over No. 20 Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. and Belmont in Nashville, Tenn. in addition to watching the team against UIC in Chicago, Ill.
The Golden Grizzlies welcomed Alex and his parents Matt and Stephanie to an honorary Draft Day press conference where he signed a NLI to officially become a part of the team and was presented with his own neon Oakland soccer kit.
In May of 2016, Alex had difficulty seeing pitches at baseball practice. During one game in particular earlier this spring, he had a lot of trouble seeing which led his parents to take him to the hospital. The doctors discovered a Medulloblastoma tumor on Alex's brain stem.
He went through an extensive surgery to remove most of the tumor but part of it is still on his brain stem. After getting regular treatments of chemo and radiation at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., he was deemed cancer free in March of 2018.
The Alex VanHolder File:Â
Age: 10
Number: 16
Hometown: Mayville, Mich.
Parents: Matt and Stephanie
Siblings: Sisters-Kylynn, McKayla, Janelle and Ellieanna, Brothers-Drew and Parker
Pets: Chocolate Lab named Cody
Favorite sports: Baseball, Soccer
Favorite pro sports team: Detroit Tigers
Favorite athlete: James McCann
Favorite colors: Orange
Favorite food: Cheddar Cheese Pringles
Favorite song: "Favorite Song" by Toby Mac
Favorite book: Big Nate
Favorite movie: Ed
