A once-in-a-lifetime chance is the way Coventry High School freshman Cole Campbell describes the evening of Feb. 21, when he got to play in a high school basketball game alongside his big brother, senior Tom Campbell, for the very first time. 

Cole suffers from Tubular sclerosis, a rare brain disease that causes serious seizures.

By the age of 8 he underwent three brain surgeries and requires some special needs at school. As team manager, Cole normally cheers the players on but with the blessing of both teams, Cole was in the game that night. 

The magical moment came quickly, when Cole took the first handoff from big brother Tom and landed a three-pointer, followed by three other three-pointers to win the game.

What made that game even more magical was the reaction from not only his teammates, but the exuberant cheers from the opposing team. Afterwards, Tom Campbell told one news reporter, “That was probably the coolest part. Looking over and I saw the Cranston West bench. All those guys going crazy and that meant a lot to me.”

It is for these reasons the Mettta Students Foundation is awarding not one, but both teams $1,000. The character and kindness both teams displayed that evening to make a hoop dream come true is what the foundation is all about.

A ceremony will be held April 17 at 9:15 a.m. at the Coventry High School, located at 40 Reservoir Road in Coventry. Both teams and coaches will be together again to honor this special moment and members of the media are welcome. 

Norm Kelly, founder of Software Quality Associates in Providence, created the Metta Students Foundation in October of 2012 after learning of one teen’s kind act toward another teen. Each month, during the school year, the foundation awards $1,000 to a student who shares “metta.”

“Metta means love and kindness,” said Norm Kelly, “and we are proud to be able to give recognition to all of those bright lights who give back, not because they have to, but because they are truly good-hearted and want to make a positive difference.”

“My goal for the night was to have my two sons play together on the court for one time in their life before my son Tom graduated,” said Coventry basketball head coach Tom Campbell. “Cole has some special needs and is not able to fully play basketball on a varsity or JV level. I thought the best part was going to be seeing Cole and Tom on the floor at the same time. Honestly, that became secondary to what happened for everyone in that gym. To watch the reactions and the sportsmanship of Cranston West and the energy and excitement of all the fans became the best part of the night. I have never been in a gym where everyone was supporting the same thing. Usually the gym is divided for their respective teams. Those two minutes that Cole played, everyone in that gym was supporting him and the moment. Truly special!”

“I was very proud of my team, they did that all on their own,” said Cranston West basketball head coach Jim Moretti. “It was a very good moment during a tough season, to be able to see the reaction of everyone there and be part of Cole’s moment. Then when he made all those shots, it was icing on the cake. It is an honor to be recognized with this award. Nowadays, all you hear is the negative. To be able to accent a positive moment like this is fantastic.”

To see video of how the Metta Students Foundation began or for more information about the foundation, visit www.mettastudents.org.