Milford Daily News: On Campus: Framingham State Softball Welcomes 13-year old with Genetic Condition to Join Team for Season

By Tim Whelan Jr./Daily News Correspondent

Lindsey Franco of Holliston signed a letter of intent to join the Rams softball program, joining the team during games, practices and other team events throughout the year.

The Framingham State University softball program recently signed 13-year-old Lindsey Franco of Holliston to the Rams' squad. In partnership with Team IMPACT, Franco signed a letter of intent to join the Rams softball program, joining the team during games, practices and other team events throughout the year. The event held on April 6 was an exclusive "draft day" of sorts for Franco.

At birth, Franco was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition which makes it difficult for her to play sports.

Team IMPACT, meanwhile, connects children facing serious illnesses with local college athletic teams. Franco and the Rams provided the perfect match.

Since 2011, Boston-based Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,400 children with more than 500 colleges and universities in 47 states, reaching over 50,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child's support team.

At the ceremony, the Rams presented Lindsey with FSU apparel, a Rams bobble head, and a signed ball from the 2018 team to welcome her to the program.

"We are so thrilled to welcome Lindsey to our FRAMily" said Rams head softball coach Larry Miller in a release from FSU. "Thank you to Team IMPACT and our institutional and athletic administration for their support. I am so fortunate to be surrounded with an incredible group of student-athletes and know they will be great teammates to Lindsey."

"This is a great opportunity for our program to make a difference. It is more than just softball, it is a way for us to express our values and for our team to be great role models" said Rams senior captain Megan Downing. She continued "We can really continue to push our program in a positive direction and we are so excited to have Lindsey join our FRAMily."