In the fall and as part of postseason jamborees, students at high schools throughout Massachusetts take to the court for Unified Basketball games. Over 100 schools offer Unified Basketball programs across the state.
Massachusetts Unified Sports, organized jointly by the MIAA and Special Olympics Massachusetts, promotes social inclusion by bringing together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, thereby encouraging deeper understanding and friendships.
Unified Basketball games are competitive but wins and losses are not the main concern. The objective is to ensure that every player participates fully and has fun playing the games.
The rules are similar to those of boys basketball and girls basketball games, but no player is allowed to dominate the flow of the action.
At Ashland High School, Marcos Heureaux has set an example for his teammates and fellow students as to how Unified Basketball games and practices should be: inclusive and full of positivity. He has autism and is quiet by nature, but the basketball court brings out a different side of him.
Heureaux, a senior, moved to Ashland in the summer of 2022. He played Unified Basketball during his first two years of high school as well. Although leaving Framingham was difficult for him, he made new friends and flourished after joining the Ashland Unified Basketball team.
“I play all the positions,” Heureaux said. “I like to score baskets.”
His contributions extend beyond baskets, rebounds, or even assists. He holds a reputation for his celebratory dance moves after he scores.
“His ‘cellies’ have brought fans to the stands and brought excitement and enthusiasm to our team,” said Ashland Unified coach Holly LeBlanc.
According to LeBlanc, some of his chosen celebrations have been a “moonwalk,” N’Sync’s “Bye bye bye” dance, hand gestures in the shape of hearts directed at the fans, and even running into the stands to excite the crowd.
“I think that Marcos embodies what Unified Sports is all about,” she said. “He always has a positive attitude every day. He works really hard, and he has fun. And he makes it fun for everybody else too.”
Unified Sports turn athletes into winners. Hopkinton’s Jay Golden touched on the benefits for players without disabilities.
“Our Partners do a wonderful job of connecting with our Athletes with disabilities, both on and off the court,” he said. “They establish friendships with the Athletes that extend from the court to the classroom and beyond, and this is really a two-way street. The perspective that it provides to our Partners is immeasurable. To see both the Partners and the Athletes form these connections, build them over time (in many cases multiple seasons) and have such great appreciation for each other is fantastic to see.”
The cultures of the schools are truly enriched by the addition of Unified Sports.
“The Unified team, and the games in particular, really help to bring everyone together,” Golden added. “There is nothing better than seeing a packed gym with great fan support at the games to be there for our Athletes. This is always greatly appreciated and makes for really special moments for our kids.”