Unified Sports Program Offers Students More Than Athleticism

For seven special needs students at South River High School, the chance to play competitive sports at a high school level wasn’t a reality until this year.

The Unified Sports Program was introduced this year in Anne Arundel County public schools. The program is designed to incorporate special needs students with non-special needs students in a competitive athletic program. The requirements are simple; the team has to have an equal amount of special needs students as it does non-special needs students, come to practice and have fun.  Students also have to get a physical and fill out all required paperwork to be on the team.

The program is partnered with Anne Arundel County and Special Olympics of Maryland.

The program’s first sport, Bocce, started March 1.  The team practiced for about a month, then had their first match. Because the program is new, the Bocce season has been short, only four games, but it’s something organizers hope to change for next year. The bocce team competed in county championships last week and took fourth place. 

South River High School athletic director David Klingel helped get the word out to students and recruited some to play. Molly Ortman, a senior at South River, was one of the students recruited.

“Mr. Klingel saw us in the hall and he said he would appreciate it if people would join. I thought it was a great chance to get involved. All of my friends talked it over and we decided to go for it,” Ortman said.

Ortman said being involved in the program has changed her perspective.

“They aren’t different, they are a part of us,” Ortman said.

She said the kids all got to know each other and bonded during practices and bus rides to matches. They have become friends and high-five each other in the halls.

Ortman said after playing on the team this past spring she wishes she had been more involved all along.

“I regret not doing that all along, it’s really changed my attitude. If I have a chance to do it again, I will,” said Ortman.

Michelle Skinner, functional life skills teacher and head coach for the Unified Sports program said the program offers so much to both special needs and non special needs students.

“It’s an eye-opening experience. It helps them see those with disabilities are the same as those without. They can do the same things; they just might need a little extra help or modification,” Skinner said.

There are 13 special needs students at South River and Skinner has a goal to get all of them involved.

“It’s a great way to get exercise and interact and make more friends. That is the reason I am doing it, I’m a big proponent of it. They don’t’ have a life outside of school, this gives them such a sense of belonging to a school community,” Skinner said.

Skinner said she is pleased with the turnout for Bocce and is excited for the other sports to get underway. 

“It’s nice to see the students who have that natural ability to work with those with special needs interact with them. Being part of this might help them decide on a career path down road, if not it will definitely change their opinion of those with special needs,” Skinner said.

For those debating whether or not being part of the Unified Sports Program is for them, Skinner has a challenge.

“Come out and watch a practice. See how much fun we have and how much fun the other students have.”

The Bocce team competes in the State Championships at 9 a.m. on May 12 at Washington College.

Tennis starts in the fall and bowling in the winter.