Unified Sports creates a platform for inclusion, acceptance and teamwork


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A team of Unified partners from the Ann Arbor area with Special Olympics Athletes showcase their medals after competing in the Unified Bocce tournament at the 2018 State Summer Games.

The Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games is approaching, and excitement is rising for SOMI’s biggest event of the year. The organization prides itself on providing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy.

At the same time, the organization attempts to create a learning platform for inclusion, acceptance and teamwork. The Unified Sports program does just that by placing people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.  

SOMI’s website explains, “(Unified sports) was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.” 

Training and playing with an intramural team can forge bonds that last a lifetime, and Unified Sports does the same. Unified sports are offered at all Special Olympics state-level competitions.  

“What’s special about unified sports is that it recognizes similarities as opposed to differences,” said Dan Ekonen, senior director of program leadership for SOMI. “A lot of people love sports, and they love to experience winning or losing as a team. It doesn’t matter if it’s a unified partner without a disability or an athlete with a disability.” 

Ekonen said the emergence of Unified sports could be traced back to the 90s in community-based programs. Unified sports were added to the SOMI State Summer Games more than five years ago, and there has been significant growth in the past two. 

This is due to the partnership formed in 2017 between SOMI and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. This provided the opportunity to share resources and networks to widen the reach of Unified Sports. 

“For us this has been a great relationship, because it's promoting inclusive sports and participation through high school athletic departments for student populations that have never had this before.” Ekonen said. 

John Thompson, who oversees scheduling and event management in the Brighton High School unified program, said the program at Brighton includes more than 50 general education students and about half as many special education students.

“Any school in the state can be involved in unified (sports). It’s an opportunity to really spread a message about inclusion,” Thompson said. “It’s not a hard sell, kids want to be a part of this.” 

Unified sports are offered at the collegiate level as well. In April 2018, Central Michigan University's Unified intramural program was named one of five National Unified Champion Schools by Special Olympics International.

According to SOMI’s research overview, 79 percent of Unified sports teammates without intellectual disabilities reported increased understanding of people with intellectual disabilities. Coaches and family members also saw increased confidence, better communication skills and improved social inclusion among athletes.

Unified sports coaches work hard to give every athlete opportunities to be a team player. They identify athletes' individual abilities and use them to create a more inclusive game.

“Not everyone is going to score the same amount of points because that doesn’t happen on a traditional team,” Ekonen said. “It’s about identifying everyone's strengths and using that to their advantage.” 

While teams for the State Summer Games Unified Sports are registered and set, coaches and coordinators urge students to consider signing up for another SOMI event. 

The SOMI State Summer Games will take place May 30 to June 1 on CMU’s campus. The Unified Sports competition will be from 11-4 p.m., Thursday, May 30 at the field hockey field and Bennet track.

For all SOMI sporting events, volunteering is highly encouraged. Volunteers are needed for all occasions, from handing out awards to just being extra fans in the stands. Anyone can sign up to volunteer on the SOMI website or at the volunteer registration booth in front of the Student Activities Center. 

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