Todd Rose | Daily Press Beau Koffman (center) with parents Dan and Kari (front), coach Paul Polfus (back, left) and superintendent Adam Cocco (back, right) after signing his letter of intent to play basketball at Calvin University Friday afternoon in Carney.

CARNEY — For most kids, turning 18 is a major milestone. For Beau Koffman, his 18th birthday had an added level of significance as he signed his letter of intent to play basketball — a lifelong dream — at the college level with Calvin University Friday afternoon in Carney.

“It feels really good. I’ve been looking forward to playing with these guys for a long time,” said Koffman. “It’s the cherry on top (of my birthday). It really means a lot. I’m really happy and excited.”

While he had been looking or had offers at a few other schools — Spring Arbor University and Finlandia University among others — Koffman said it was the classroom side of things that helped him choose Calvin.

“(It was) mostly their academics. They have a really good sports management program,” he said. “I’ve also been a huge fan of the coach Bill Sall for a long time. He used to coach at Northern (Michigan University). So, I’m looking forward to playing under him.

“Calvin was the standout, for sure.”

In his final year with the Wolves, Koffman led his team to the MHSAA state quarterfinal level. Along the way, the team won district and regional titles while Koffman broke the 1,000 point mark on his career.

“It all meant the world because I wasn’t sure if we were going to have a season before (we started),” he said. “As soon as we had a season and being able to go through everything we did this year and all the accomplishments, it’s awesome.”

It should come as no surprise what Koffman is most thrilled about when it comes to signing with Calvin.

“(I’m excited) to continue my basketball career,” he said. “I don’t ever want to get away from the game.”

Koffman also was gracious to everyone that has supported him and helped him get to this point.

“Big thank you to my Dad for spending hours helping me with recruiting, and obviously thank you to Coach Polfus for everything,” he said. “My teammates, of course, for sticking with me. It means the world. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Wolves basketball coach Paul Polfus shared Koffman’s excitement.

“It’s always exciting to see your high school athletes that have put in as much time as he has to pursue their passions,” Polfus said. “I’m sure he’s excited about it. I’m excited to see what the next step is going to be for him and how he’s going to progress.”

Polfus added it all comes down to a love of the sport for Koffman.

“That’s really what it is for Beau,” he said. “It’s just his passion for basketball and his willingness to put in the extra hours and extra time and do that. I’m proud of how far he’s come.”

What sticks out about Koffman, according to Polfus, is his qualities as a leader.

“His leadership in the end through the tournament was huge,” he said. “It was somebody for us to sort of lean on when we needed some stabilization in our game. I think the other kids followed that lead, and I think they grew from it as well. A lot of goes on his leadership.”

The addition of Koffman to Calvin University should be a positive one, said Polfus.

“(They’re) getting a quality kid who comes from a quality family,” he said. “He’s very coachable. You can talk to him, express your concerns one way or another, and he buys into that.

“I really think he can really grow. He’s got a great coach in Bill Sall, and he’s going to a great school. Not much more you can ask for as far as being excited about your future, I think.”