Greenwich High School Unified Sports: “You’ve never seen a team more hyped up for a game!”

On Monday the Greenwich High School Unified Sports basketball players competed against Norwalk at home. The Unified Sports program started at GHS back in 2010, and for anyone who hasn’t attended one of their events, it is pure joy.

This year, under the direction of Deirdre Burke, the Unified Sports Program Coordinator, the program has blossomed.

“This is my passion project,” she said on Monday just before the game.

Ms Burke said there were currently 17 athletes and over 25 partners.

“The program is growing exponentially. It is bringing out a side of Greenwich High that is so beautiful,” she said. “We’re getting the most amazing, kind, empathic, caring kids.”

Ms Burke explained that the goal of the program was to offer a positive, inclusive foundation for athletic and social interaction between special education and general education students in the school and community.

Deirdre Burke with Max Marek, Andrew Berman and Matthew Hunt just before the home competition. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Three sports are offered throughout the year: soccer, basketball and track & field. Each season concludes with a tournament where Greenwich High School competes against neighboring Unified Sports teams within Fairfield County.

Ms Burke said volunteer partners form the backbone of the Unified Sports program, showing up to every practice ready to encourage, support, and motivate their peers.

“Even outside of practices, I see our partners walking to classes with our athletes, giving high fives and knuckles in the hallways, and doing ‘Game Day Lunches’ together,” she continued, adding the lunches were her new favorite. “It’s a sea of red shirts together in the student center. I can guarantee, you have never seen a team more hyped up for game days as the Unified Sports team!”

The energy was evident at Monday’s game against Norwalk, starting with warmups, continuing through a group charge through a red paper banner, and throughout the competition. Fans in the bleachers were equally enthusiastic.

“All team members wear their uniform to school with such pride,” Ms Burke added. “You can even hear kids chanting ‘UNIFIED, UNIFIED’ coming down the hallways!”

“Coaches, athletes, and partners are continuously learning from one another and growing as athletes and more importantly, as people,” she added.

The mission of Unified Sports is to support the growth of athletic skills, fostering genuine friendships and promoting a sense of community at GHS, where everyone belongs and is accepted and celebrated for who they are.

A registered program of Special Olympics, the program was started in 1992 under a partnership between the Connecticut Association of Schools and Special Olympics Connecticut to expand athletic opportunities for students of all abilities. The Unified Sports program has grown rapidly since its launch and has approximately 1400 students participating statewide.

Greenwich High School currently has more participants than any other Unified Sports program in the state, with over 60 players involved each season.

For more information regarding the Unified Sports program in Connecticut or at Greenwich High School, visit CIAC Unified Sports.

Dawn Stevens from the GHS athletic department and Eva Barber at the Unified Sports event. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Deirdre Burke with TJ stopped to smile before the home competition against Norwalk. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Max Marek, Andrew Berman and Matthew Hunt just before the home competition. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

After the GHS Unified Sports players warmed up, the cheerleaders prepared a giant paper “Unified” banner for them to charge through, kicking off the enthusiastic basketball game vs Norwalk. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players charged through a giant paper “Unified” banner in their game vs Norwalk. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players charged through a giant paper “Unified” banner in their game vs Norwalk. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Eva Barber and friends ready to cheer on the Unified Sports program players at Greenwich High School. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players warmed up at home before they played Norwalk’s Unified players. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players warmed up at home before they played Norwalk’s Unified players. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players warmed up at home before they played Norwalk’s Unified players. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players warmed up at home before they played Norwalk’s Unified players. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS Unified Sports players warmed up at home before they played Norwalk’s Unified players. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager