Chronically ill 4th grader recruited by Babson College hockey team

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- He's not the biggest hitter, or the fastest skater, but Coleman Walsh, the newest member of the Babson Men's Hockey team, may have the biggest heart.

"It's really great, I'm looking forward to this, and let's go Beavers!" Coleman said. The 10-year-old signed his national letter of intent on Tuesday in front of his new teammates and new coaches.

"When we found you we were thrilled beyond belief to have you join our team and become a Babson Beaver," Babson Head Coach Jamie Rice told WCVB.

Coleman will now be able to intend practices and games and become a part of a team, which he hasn't been able to given his William's Syndrome. The condition that was discovered at birth has several physical and mental limitations, but also makes Coleman more social and loving.

"Coleman himself has the ability to make everyone around him feel special because of his qualities that the William's Syndrome Diagnosis has brought us," said Nanci Walsh, Coleman's mom.

Coleman's signing was made possible by Team Impact, the Boston nonprofit that connects children suffering from chronic illnesses with college sports teams. A partnership that is clearly beneficial to everyone involved.

"I just really gotta make sure the guys understand that hey, it's a game, yes we want to win, we're in it to win it every time we play, but there's a bigger picture of life here," Coach Rice said.