Coaches, school administrators, parents and participants are all singing the praises of Unified Sports – specifically basketball – which for the first time was played at Hilton Central this year.
Hilton Central fielded a unified basketball team with the Kendall Central School District and Michael Giruzzi, CAA, Hilton Central director of physical education and athletics, says unified sports is a partnership between Section V Athletics, the NYS Public High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics that combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on a sports team for training and competition.
“The purpose is to provide authentic, competitive opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities in an inclusive setting,” he explains.
A main goal of the program was, “To create a whole school environment where authentic social inclusion and learning happens through meaningful activity, providing for respect and dignity for all,” Giruzzi says. “The opportunity for our school and community to come together in this outstanding program was demonstrated throughout the season.”
Response from families and the community was great, Giruzzi observes.
He says the kids and community really came together to rally around this endeavor. “To see our kids working together and the pure joy in their faces as they competed together was extremely powerful.”
Participants in the Kendall Central School District agree. Members of the School Board of Education recently heard a presentation from Susan Smith, one of the team’s coaches, about the first season.She said Unified Basketball is an example of how differences can bring people together.
“All the students shined,” Smith explained, “and showed a caring, compassionate nature, traits we attempt to promote in our school community.”
Several parents whose children participated on the Unified Basketball team also attended. Brad Miller said his son, Jason, was on the team. “We went to a game and were blown away by it,” Miller said of watching his son and the team play.
Miller said he was very impressed by the sportsmanship demonstrated by all players. “It really exceeded my expectations. I was impressed by how well it worked. The team played as a team. The games were like a party. The kids were competitive – they played to win, but in the context of sportsmanship. This is what every sporting event should be like. It was beyond what I expected it to be.”
Jason Miller was a star scorer for the team. He said he enjoyed the experience. “It was really, really fun,” Jason said.
Kendall hopes to continue with unified sports next year.
“I feel lucky I got to coach these kids and work with these families,” Susan Smith said. “It was better than we could have anticipated.”
Michael Giruzzi at Hilton Central says a second season is planned next year. “We are looking to add opportunities at the elementary and the seventh/eighth grade level for unified basketball,” he said.
