Coach Tad Boyle presents Nick Nelson (third from right) his No. 13 Colorado jersey.
Nicholas Nelson Joins Buffs Through Team IMPACT
January 10, 2020 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER – The University of Colorado men's basketball team signed 13-year old Nicholas Nelson of Louisville, Colo., to a National Letter of Intent during a Draft Day ceremony Friday afternoon at the CU Events Center.
"Nick," along with his parents Mark and Maureen, and younger brother Xander, joined head coach Tad Boyle and sophomore forward Evan Battey on the podium to sign his official NLI. Boyle presented the recruit with a No. 13 jersey with his name on the back.
"(The Nelson family) has been around our program for a little over a year, have got to know the guys, been to a bit of practices and been in the locker room after some big wins," Boyle said. "Don't know if (Nelson) has been in there after any tough losses."
Just before signing the NLI coach Boyle delivered a message to Nelson. "We're really pleased to bring Nick officially into our program, and the entire Nelson family. You're going to be a great addition and we're all proud and happy for you. It's a big day for you and your family."
Nelson, a seventh grader at Louisville Middle School, joined the Buffaloes through Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing serious and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
"I'm very proud of myself," Nelson said, adding that he looks forward to "having fun with (the players) and going into the locker room and seeing that everyone is having a good time."
Nelson was born with a rare genetic condition called Williams Syndrome, which affects about 1 in every 10,000 children worldwide, regardless of gender or background. Williams Syndrome is caused by a spontaneous deletion of about 26 genes on one copy of chromosome 7.
Williams Syndrome has a lot of different impacts on Nelson, some of which make things harder for him and some which have become strengths and talents. The family monitors medical concerns closely including ADHD and anxiety issues, which are common to Williams Syndrome.
Activities involving spatial relations, like math, art and catching a baseball are tricky. However, Nelson has a powerful connection with music. He has a keen ear and can be deeply moved by what he hears. He has serious rhythm and can pick up instruments and bust out a recognizable song.
"Nick is full of enthusiasm and will celebrate every point to the fullest," his parents Mark and Maureen shared. "He sees the best in everyone and can truly make your greyest day brighter with his compliments.
"What's most important though is that there has been nothing Nick hasn't been able to do. Though he faces challenges, he simply will not quit. It's a testament to the wonderful teachers and therapists he's had and how determined and motivated he is. A teacher once told us Nick worked harder than any student she'd ever had – I don't know of anything that could have made us prouder to hear."
Following the press conference, Nelson and his brother were able to shoot a few shots wearing his new jersey with Battey and Colorado juniors Dallas Walton and Alexander Strating. He also visited his new locker in the Colorado basketball locker room.
As an official member of the team, he will join the Buffaloes for a variety of events throughout the season including team meetings, practices and games.
Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Team IMPACT connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched 2,000 children with more than 700 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 55,000 participating student athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student athletes join the child's support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
Team IMPACT has more than 1,200 teams waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness and who could benefit from becoming a member of the team. For more information visit www.teamimpact.org.
"Nick," along with his parents Mark and Maureen, and younger brother Xander, joined head coach Tad Boyle and sophomore forward Evan Battey on the podium to sign his official NLI. Boyle presented the recruit with a No. 13 jersey with his name on the back.
"(The Nelson family) has been around our program for a little over a year, have got to know the guys, been to a bit of practices and been in the locker room after some big wins," Boyle said. "Don't know if (Nelson) has been in there after any tough losses."
Just before signing the NLI coach Boyle delivered a message to Nelson. "We're really pleased to bring Nick officially into our program, and the entire Nelson family. You're going to be a great addition and we're all proud and happy for you. It's a big day for you and your family."
Nelson, a seventh grader at Louisville Middle School, joined the Buffaloes through Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing serious and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
"I'm very proud of myself," Nelson said, adding that he looks forward to "having fun with (the players) and going into the locker room and seeing that everyone is having a good time."
Nelson was born with a rare genetic condition called Williams Syndrome, which affects about 1 in every 10,000 children worldwide, regardless of gender or background. Williams Syndrome is caused by a spontaneous deletion of about 26 genes on one copy of chromosome 7.
Williams Syndrome has a lot of different impacts on Nelson, some of which make things harder for him and some which have become strengths and talents. The family monitors medical concerns closely including ADHD and anxiety issues, which are common to Williams Syndrome.
Activities involving spatial relations, like math, art and catching a baseball are tricky. However, Nelson has a powerful connection with music. He has a keen ear and can be deeply moved by what he hears. He has serious rhythm and can pick up instruments and bust out a recognizable song.
"Nick is full of enthusiasm and will celebrate every point to the fullest," his parents Mark and Maureen shared. "He sees the best in everyone and can truly make your greyest day brighter with his compliments.
"What's most important though is that there has been nothing Nick hasn't been able to do. Though he faces challenges, he simply will not quit. It's a testament to the wonderful teachers and therapists he's had and how determined and motivated he is. A teacher once told us Nick worked harder than any student she'd ever had – I don't know of anything that could have made us prouder to hear."
Following the press conference, Nelson and his brother were able to shoot a few shots wearing his new jersey with Battey and Colorado juniors Dallas Walton and Alexander Strating. He also visited his new locker in the Colorado basketball locker room.
As an official member of the team, he will join the Buffaloes for a variety of events throughout the season including team meetings, practices and games.
Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Team IMPACT connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched 2,000 children with more than 700 colleges and universities in 48 states, reaching over 55,000 participating student athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student athletes join the child's support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie and support while the student athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
Team IMPACT has more than 1,200 teams waiting to be matched with children, ages 5-16, who have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness and who could benefit from becoming a member of the team. For more information visit www.teamimpact.org.