New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
‘True meaning of sports’
Unified Sports continue their growth across Connecticut
There will be lots of big plays and celebrating when the CIAC boys and girls championships are held at Mohegan Sun Arena this weekend.
But some of the most joyful moments will happen when the teams are in the locker rooms. That’s when Unified Sports programs from across the state take the court for 10-minute games.
The games at the 10,000-seat arena will be the highlight of the weekend for many and a lifetime memory for participants. The games have been played at halftime since 2018, according to the CIAC. Through a partnership with the CIAC and the Special Olympics, Unified Sports allow athletes with intellectual or physical disabilities to compete in sports throughout the school year, alongside students without intellectual disabilities who work as their partners in practice and at games.
“It is a great stage at Mohegan and the crowd support is always phenomenal,” CIAC Unified Director Bob Hale said. “Everyone loves the Unified games and it resulted in more schools wanting to come. It is great for people to know that these kids are capable.”
Away from the bright lights of the CIAC basketball championships, Unified Sports are played across Connecticut throughout the school year.
During the Unified Sports basketball tournament at Fairfield Ludlowe Monday, McMahon junior Unified athlete Riley Simmons made a shot and threw her arms in the air, highfiving partner Alexa Smith.
“I like shooting basketballs at the hoops and making shots,” Simmons said. “I have made so many friends, it’s a lot of fun. The partners are nice and I see them in school and give them high fives. They make me smile.”
Smith, who plays varsity basketball at McMahon, saw a poster about volunteering to help as a partner and said it is one of the best things she has ever done.
“They are literally the sweetest people ever and I have so much fun with them,” Smith said. “It’s so much fun. They get so excited. It’s actually the best feeling being out here with them. They are so happy and it’s the best vibes, ever.”
When the CIAC and Special Olympics partnered in 1992, it was the first time any state high school sports association teamed with the Special Olympics.
In Connecticut for the 202223 school year, there were 6,104
and partners at 129 high schools, 39 middle schools and 34 elementary schools taking part in Unified Sports. Eleven of those schools are in their first year of having a Unified program, according to the CIAC.
Additionally, 65 schools now offer Unified Physical Education classes as part of the daily school schedule.
Across the country, more than 8,300 schools have Unified programs, according to the Special Olympics website.
Though it started with just a few schools participating, last season there were Unified games at eight of the 10 basketball championship games over the weekend.
For the games at Mohegan, the CIAC reaches out the week of the state finals based on which schools will be playing in the championship games.
Though most of the Unified teams are tied to competing teams, as it has grown in popularity, Hale said schools with no ties to the finals have begun taking part.
“It’s special for everyone participating, the athletes, the partners, the coaches and the referees, who volunteer their time,” Hale said. “It is the true meaning of sports and it is so pure and it is all positive.”
Boys and girls varsity referee Glen Colello has been volunteering as an official for Unified Sports basketball games in Fairfield County for over a decade and has worked a few at Mohegan Sun.
“It is easy getting volunteers, even during tournament season for the high schools. Guys always want to come down and help out with Unified,” Colello said. “It’s all so fun watching the kids shoot, watching the expression when it goes in and having the helpers work with the kids. I have been doing this for at least 10 years and I love doing it.”
While Mohegan Sun offers Unified the spotlight, there are Unified tournaments held all over the state throughout the year with soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and track and field in the spring.
Some schools have even expanded to offer volleyathletes ball, bowling and there have been a few cornhole tournaments.
Working with the CIAC, conferences hold tournaments in the various sports.
“Unified Sports has become a very important part of our offerings at schools,” SCC commissioner Al Carbone said. “It’s about learning teamwork, enjoying the games and meeting new people. It’s a huge part of the student athlete experience for both the Unified athletes and the partners who are involved. It creates a lot of school spirit for everyone.”
The teams practice a few times a week and take part in tournaments against other schools.
In a recent tournament at Fairfield Ludlowe, the athletes paraded in behind banners, an athlete read the Unified pledge and they lit a faux Olympic flame at halfcourt.
When the games began, there were smiles from baseline to baseline and at the end of the day everyone got a medal and a few slices of pizza.
Unified athlete Ahaan Chawla, a junior on the New Canaan team, said going to Unified sports is the highlight of his day.
“My favorite part of unified sports is communicating with my teammates and trying to make 3-point shots. I really like my teammates because they are really nice to me,” Chawla said. “I make a lot of friends and we are friends at school. They have been my friends since middle school and I really like playing with them and like Unified Sports.”
On the court with Chawla was Ridgefield sophomore Colby Devoe, one of the partners who work with the Unified athletes at her school, which was playing against New Canaan.
The partners are often varsity athletes from the school who volunteer at practice and help keep the games moving on the court.
“I like to make sure they feel connected. It’s super fun working with Unified Sports,” Devoe said. “I love seeing them have fun and how the practices go into the games and everyone is having so much fun all the time. I love meeting all the kids and getting to know them.”