The Unified Sports® program is becoming an integral part of school athletics all over Monroe County, but the impact it has had in the Churchville-Chili community is remarkable. This is the school district’s second year of fielding their “Dream Team,” a single basketball team composed of athletes and partners, with and without intellectual disabilities.
This year’s C-C team is unique in that its teammates include four pairs of siblings, along with a volunteer assistant coach who also happens to be the mother of two of the players.
The 30 members on the Churchville-Chili team include: seven athletes (one player stays on the sidelines due to a medical condition, but remains the team’s biggest advocate), 17 playing partners and six ambassadors (partners who are unable to compete, but who help behind the scenes).
Three of the athletes who live in the district attend the School of the Holy Childhood, bringing more of the community into the Unified environment. The sibling pairs are:James and Jenna Creighton (Mom Pam Creighton leads the team as volunteer assistant coach); Nick and Samantha Taylor; Jake and Carley Murphy; Rebecca and Rachel Czoglosz.
“Unified is about so much more than competition,” said Youth Activation Committee Advisor Mary Pat Dewey. “It’s all about family and community. The experience builds lasting relationships and creates an atmosphere where everyone is included. We are so lucky to have students who are committed, who advocate for the program. They get all the credit for the growth and success of Unified here.”
Coach Greg Kincaid, a physical education teacher at Chestnut Ridge Elementary School, is responsible for much of the team’s success, making sure that each participant has “meaningful involvement.” Positive energy abounds at every game; spontaneous dancing among competitors has sometimes broken out after a game. “We have many special moments,” said Dewey. “Sometimes we don’t remember the score, but we remember those moments.”
Athletes and partners prepared to hit the court at the opening game against Spencerport. Provided photo
“Every athlete and partner from last year’s team who could come back, did come back,” Dewey added. “All kinds of kids have volunteered to be partners. I have heard from many parents who say that the growth they have seen in their children has been amazing. The selflessness and compassion partners are learning have changed their lives as well as the lives of our athletes.”
In the Monroe County Athletic League, Unified Sports is a partnership between Section V Athletics, the NYS Public High School Athletics Association, and Special Olympics. Churchville-Chili’s team has grown from 15 members in 2015; driven mainly by the work and advocacy of student partners. The program is supported by the school district, parents and the community-at-large, with about 200 plus enthusiastic fans attending every home game.
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