Finishing the 22-23 School Year

It was a great year with a total of 306 Unified Champion Schools across Massachusetts from Pre K through College participating in the UCS program. Schools participated in a variety of the following ways: through Young Athletes programs, Unified PE, Unified Fitness, Unified Basketball, Unified Strength & Conditioning, Unified Track and Field, Unified Clubs, Leadership Lunches, Polar Plunges, Kindness Campaigns, Inclusive Schools week, Respect Campaigns, Spread the Word campaigns, Fans in the stands, Game Days and more. Thank you for playing a pivotal role in making your school a vibrant and inclusive environment for all students.

During the summer months as we work on our plans for the upcoming school year, we will be connecting each school this summer to introduce our new schools team members: Denise Larrabee and Makayla Parris.



Do you want to learn more about how your school can get more involved?

Please contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.org with questions.

Unified Track

MIAA Sportsmanship Award presented to 3 Unified Track Teams this season amongst 102 teams this year. These teams exemplified the tenets of good sportsmanship to the highest degree. These schools displayed: Teamwork, Fair play, Respect for opponents, Ethics, and Citizenship.

Congratulations

Auburn High School

Dartmouth High School

Newton South High School

Ever wonder how Unified Sports began?

In the “Legends Among Us” series, Beau Doherty, Massachusetts native, was pivotal and a real pioneer in getting the concept of Unified Sports off the ground. It was no small task in convincing others, including Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the profound affect this could have on the mission and how it could transform the world. Mrs. Shriver listened to the original presentation request, to pilot an integrated softball tournament, and then sent a researcher from Harvard to provide a comprehensive report of that tournament. In the next several years, there were more pilot programs and more research. Beyond those beginning years, Unified Sports continued to grow globally and in schools.

Thank you Beau for all you have done to shape with world into a more inclusive place.

This is Robert "Beau" Doherty's Story.

Unified Basketball Application Due NOW

Whether you are new to Unified Basketball or have been participating for a few years, each pre-season we ask schools to fill out the application. This helps us in creating schedules and helps to communicate all the details of the season with the correct contact information.

DUE now

Unified Basketball Application -

CLICK HERE

Please contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.org with questions.

Unified Bocce is coming fall 2023!

New this fall we are offering Unified Bocce for the Middle School level!

Season: Month of October - October 2^nd through November 3^rd

Information Session:

Aug 24, 2023 03:00 PM - click here

Aug 31, 2023 03:30 PM - click here

1 Bocce Kit provided

Interested in a culminating event? Please let us know.

Please contact kathy.lutz@specialolympicsma.org with questions.

Andover Pickle Ball Classic

Andover Recreation is organizing a fully inclusive pickleball tournament that brings pickleball enthusiasts and the greater North Shore community together in support of Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Pickle Ball Classic is July 22nd

and for more tournament Information

check HERE

Each team will pair one Special Olympics athlete and one non-Special Olympics athlete. You will be paired up with a Special Olympics athlete prior to the tournament.