Matthew Erickson, 1, of Huntley, gives fellow Spartan basketball team members high-fives after his "adoption" by the Elgin Community College mens basketball team on Saturday. Holding Matthew is Vytas Jaras of Lake in the Hills, Justin Fields of Chicago is left, and Brandon Tyson of Joliet is on the right. Matthew, the son of South Elgin assistant baseball coach Ben Erickson, is fighting brain cancer. The team was able to "adopt" Matthew through the "Friends of Jaclyn" program.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com Alan Walker of Elgin holds Matthew Erickson, 1, of Huntley as he and fellow members of the Spartans mens basketball team at Elgin Community College meet Matthew before his "adoption" ceremony by the team on Saturday, January 26. Matthew, the son of South Elgin assistant baseball coach Ben Erickson, is fighting brain cancer. The team was able to "adopt" Matthew through the Friends of Jaclyn" program.

Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com Elgin Community College Spartans assistant coach, Scott Cork, holds Matthew Erickson, 1, of Huntley during the mens basketball team's ceremonial adoption of Matthew on Saturday, January 26. Matthew, the son of South Elgin assistant baseball coach Ben Erickson, is fighting brain cancer. The team was able to "adopt" Matthew through the Friends of Jaclyn" program. "I could do this all day," Cork said of holding Matthew.

Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com Kenneth Hughes of Chicago and members of the Spartans mens basketball team at Elgin Community College listen as hear Matthew's story told by his mother, Sue, at his "adoption" ceremony on Saturday, January 26. Matthew, the son of South Elgin assistant baseball coach Ben Erickson, is fighting brain cancer. The team was able to "adopt" Matthew through the Friends of Jaclyn" program.

Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com Elgin Community College Spartans assistant coach, Scott Cork, holds back tears as he shows the t-shirt made especially for Matthew Erickson, 1, of Huntley to welcome him to the mens basketball team during his ceremonial "adoption" on Saturday, January 26. Matthew, the son of South Elgin assistant baseball coach Ben Erickson, is fighting brain cancer.

Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com Matthew Erickson, 1, of Huntley is introduced to members of the Spartans mens basketball team at Elgin Community College before his "adoption" ceremony on Saturday, January 26. Matthew, the son of South Elgin assistant baseball coach Ben Erickson, is fighting brain cancer. The team was able to "adopt" Matthew through the Friends of Jaclyn" program.