RAPID CITY, S.D.  --- Hill City's Daniel Vaughn, age 17, has been a member of the South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team for the past three seasons, through Team Impact, will be celebrating his 18^th birthday Saturday as well as graduating from Team Impact.
 
The Hardrockers will be honoring Vaughn and his family during Saturday's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup against Chadron State College at the King Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Daniel will be graduating from Team IMPACT, an organization that helps children who are diagnosed with a wide variety of life-threatening and chronic illnesses.

Daniel was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called congenital myasthenic syndrome and wasn't expected to see his first birthday. He is one of just three confirmed diagnosis worldwide of his specific gene fault. As a result of this, each year Daniel has at least two Sanford Children's PICU stays on top of countless surgeries and illnesses.
 
Regardless of his circumstances, Daniel perseveres.
 
"We are extremely proud and honored to be able to have had Daniel and his family as part of our men's basketball program and Hardrocker Family for the past three seasons," said SD Mines men's basketball head coach Eric Glenn. "Daniel is an inspiration to each one of our players and coaches. It's great to have him in the locker room on Game Day. I'm very proud to be able to celebrate his birthday as well as his Team Impact Graduation."
 
Daniel and his parents Terri and Dave and sister Taylor have been an integral part of the Hardrocker Family for the past three seasons.