text: The University of Connecticut baseball team has welcomed its newest member: 5-year-old Grayson Hand of Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Hand, who is battling leukemia, joins the Huskies with the help of Team IMPACT, an organization that matches children with life-threatening and chronic illness to college sports teams. The Hartford Courant reports seniors Carson Cross and Blake Davey were inspired to get involved with the Boston-based organization after hearing positive stories from the UConn men's hockey team, which also welcomed a youngster to their team. Scroll down for video . The University of Connecticut baseball team has taken on its newest member: 5-year-old Grayson Hand, who is battling leukemia . Hand will have his own locker with the team as its newest member . Hand will have his own locker and can attend as many games and practices as he likes. The Courant added that Hand's sister, Sophie, 7, was named an honorary cheerleader. The announcement was made with father Nate and mother Lauren at his side. 'This is a physical representation of the emotional support we've received,' Nate Hand told reporters. 'Cancer is not an individual illness. It affects the entire family. We all have symptoms, me, my son, my daughter, my wife. His are in his body. Ours are emotional and on our shoulders. But it is as a team that we work through this.' Hand's sister Sophie, 7, was also taken on as an honorary cheereleader . Father Nate Hand called the partnership a physical representation of the outpouring of support they've received .
target: Grayson Hand, 5, joined the Huskies as part of Team IMPACT, which matches children with life-threatening illness with college teams .
  Hand's sister Sophie, 7, will be an honorary cheerleader .
  Hand has been given his own locker and is welcome at every game and practice .