More than just a club, Unified Sports at MIHS creates an inclusive community by bringing together students of all abilities to compete as a team in sports like soccer, basketball and flag football. Unified Sports is run through the Special Olympics who run similar clubs from other schools who Unified plays in games and tournaments.

At Unified Sports practices, held every Friday, each athlete — a student with a disability — is paired with a student partner, who helps coach them in a sport.

“A few partners will pair with an athlete and will work on different drills with them to get them ready for the game,” Unified officer Josie Beebe said. Home games for Unified Sports typically take place on Friday instead of practice, with tournaments held on the weekends.

“[Unified] creates a team of students who work together… [its] main [goal] centers around inclusivity, creating an environment that allows for students of all backgrounds, of all capabilities to work together and play a sport,” Beebe said. One of Unified’s primary goals is to provide a welcoming and safe space for everyone to participate in different sports, regardless of differences in physical ability.

“[Unified Sports] is a place where we all uplift each other, and do the most we can for each other,” Unified officer Hayley Nguyen said. “You can connect beyond school material… it’s more than just the sport; it’s about building a true connection that lasts beyond the season.”
Unified Sports participants also feel the same way.

“I really like Unified because everyone is so nice and I got to score 4 touchdowns,” Unified flag football player Kemper Rosbach said. He loves that everyone is always there to support him

“So many people are nice to me… I’m going to keep [playing unified sports]” Unified soccer player Mohammed Redwan said. He was excited for the current soccer season and the opportunity to score more goals this year.

Unified Sports brings people of all different abilities and backgrounds to play a sport together. It fosters connections outside of the classroom and creates a lasting impact on athletes and students alike.