UNIFIED SPORTS &
ACTIVITIES – EASE OF
INCORPORATION
Mike Colbrese – WIAA Executive Director
Todd Nelson – NYSPHSAA Assistant Director
Nate Johnson – SONY Unified Sports Director
Wheelchair Athletes
WIAA State Track and Field Meet AWARDS
OCR Guidance
1. Process
2. Challenge
3. Future
OCR Guidance
Project UNIFY 2012
Project UNIFY
• Special Olympics / WIAA partnership formed during the
Spring of 2013.
• Representatives of both associations attend Arizona Unified
Sports Conference.
• Plans established to integrate and educate the member schools
of the WIAA.
• WIAA Fall Workshops are the launching ground for staff of
both associations to share information.
Project UNIFY
Project UNIFY
Traditionally Special Olympic athletes have trained
twice a week for 8-10 weeks with a one day
tournament which dictates eligibility for state games.
Project UNIFY
Unified Sports in schools has changed that to “on-
going training and competition” so our athletes get to
train twice a week and compete at least once a week
in league play and then participate in a qualifying
tournament for state.
Project UNIFY
Special Olympics / WIAA Map Comparisons
Project UNIFY
Inclusive Schools Development By the numbers…
Unified Basketball Participation (Statewide) Youth Leadership Participation (Statewide)
2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015
# of Schools 9 26 91 Schools 44 120 199
Average # of Competitions per Athlete per season
2 4 21
Unified Soccer Participation (Statewide)
2013 2014 2015
# of Schools 22 81 141
Average # of Competitions per Athlete per season
8 16 24
Unified Flag Football Participation (Statewide)
2013 2014 2015
Student Participation
0 0 600
Average # of Competitions per Athlete per season
0 0 2
Project UNIFY
Current Project UNIFY Development
Project UNIFY
Project UNIFY
17.5.1 For the purposes of the out-of-season
regulations, the WIAA has determined that:
• Slow Pitch and Fast Pitch Softball;
Interscholastic/Collegiate/Folkstyle/USA Wrestling,
Freestyle Wrestling, and Greco-Roman Wrestling;
and Unified Sports Teams shall be considered
separate and distinct sports.
Project UNIFY
1. Allows for school coaches to coach in both programs
2. Highly qualified school coaches can be involved with both programs
3. Supports the strategic plan to increase participation among high
school students
4. Students who traditionally do not participate on WIAA-sponsored
sports teams may choose to participate on unified teams instead
5. Promotes a healthy culture within schools and the community
Project UNIFY
http://www.nfhsnhttp://www.nfhsnetwork.com/eh
ttp://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/99939etwork
.com/events/99939
Vision of Project UNIFY
Institute a Representative Group
School Administration, Coaches, WIAA Staff, and Athletes
Discuss the implications of WIAA rules
Possible post season connections
Establish WIAA Unified Sports Opportunities
Formalize Unified Sports in WIAA
Bowling - Soccer – Basketball – Track and Field – Bocce –
Flag Football
Statewide Expansion into Middle Year 2 – 3 and Beyond
High Schools Middle Schools
Benefits of Project UNIFY
Exploring Opportunities
1. Ambulatory sports
2. Continued efforts to
include all kids in
activities and athletics
PARTNERS
NYSPHSAA/SONY
Project Unify
Unified Sports
Youth Leadership
Whole School Engagement
Shared Goals and Objectives
PILOT PROGRAM
Have a Plan!!!!
Unified Basketball
Youth Activation Committee
Resources
Handout materials
Promotional Video
Media Presence
Press conference/release
IDENTIFY AN AREA!! ! !
DEVELOP A
LEADERSHIP TEAM
State Association Liaison
Special Olympic Director
Athletic Director
Special Education Director
Superintendent
Principal
Coach
YAC Advisor
Help Recruit Schools
UNIFIED BASKETBALL
Predetermined Season – Spring
Start Date
Scrimmage Date
6 game regular season
Culminating Event/
Tournament
Highlight and Promote
Student athletes
Skills Challenge
Shooting
Passing
Dribbling
EMPOWERING YOUTH
Youth Activation Committee
Recruitment
Sustainability
Unified “Booster” Club
Whole School Engagement
Other Student Involvement
Assistant Coaches
Team Managers/ Scorebook
Pep Band/Student Section Groups
Videographers/Photographers
Goal of Social Inclusion
Develop Natural Supports
Increase Acceptance and Understanding
Authentic friendships
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Year 1 – Pilot Program
Basketball – Culminating Event
Year 2
Basketball – Culminating
Tournament
Year 3 and Year 4
Basketball – Tournament
Bowling – Tournament
Year 5
Basketball
Bowling
Fall Sport (Golf, Soccer, Cross
Country, Track and Field????)
“ I F YO U D O N ’ T K N OW W H E R E YO U A R E
G O I N G, YO U W I L L E N D U P S O M E P L AC E
E L S E ” - YO G I B E R R A
QUESTIONS????
Mike Colbrese
Todd Nelson
Nate Johnson