Sanford Middle School reached a historic milestone recently, hosting its first-ever Unified Basketball scrimmage.
Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates. This is the program's first year at Sanford Middle School. The team practiced once a week, with 17 athletes and 11 partners, 28 participants in all, spanning grades 6 through 8.
Sanford’s scrimmage against Massabesic Middle School was the team's first time competing, with Massabesic edging out a close 82-80 win. Massabesic accepted the invitation to play after school administration reached out to neighboring schools, and their coach provided valuable guidance as coach Meagan Collupy worked to get the program off the ground.
Collupy said the effort involved coordination with administrators, Special Olympics Maine, life skills teachers, service providers, wellness teachers, and school counselors.
"I was a little nervous going into game day, but then actually seeing it unfold, I was like this was awesome," said Collupy. "Talking to some of the other staff members, they said it was hard not to cry watching it, seeing the crowd and the families."
Sixth grader Blake Russell said the atmosphere on the court captured what the program is all about. "Everyone was happy for everybody," he said.
Collupy shared that sentiment. "Two partners walked by the morning after the game and said, 'Why does it have to be over? Why can't we still practice?'" she recalled. "That was actually the sweetest thing I'd heard."
Principal Joe Mastraccio credited the work of several staff members in getting the program launched. "Sanford Middle School's Unified Basketball program was many years in the making. This year, we were able to get it off the ground. Meagan wrote a proposal that included equipment, staff oversight, practice and game logistics, and athlete/partner requirements. Many meetings later between Meagan, Sanford Middle School Athletic Liaison Josh Allen, and Joe Mastraccio, in collaboration with SHS Unified coach and Special Education Teacher Stephanie Boisonnault, we were given the green light by SHS Athletic Director Zach Lemelin to have a pilot year to see the interest in the program, and it really took off!"
Lemelin echoed that enthusiasm. "The opportunity for our middle school student-athletes to participate in and experience a unified basketball game will be one of the best things that happens in the Athletic Department this year," he said. "It is a special event that I hope will continue, and I appreciate having dedicated staff and coworkers willing to give our students a great experience."
The future of the program looks bright. Lemelin has already approved Unified Basketball as an official winter sport next year, with a full schedule of regular games against other middle schools. Fellow sixth grader Luke Levesque is already looking ahead. "Next year we're going to have a full season. We're very excited about that," he said.
In the meantime, the team plans to continue building connections through activities like lunch buddies and outdoor play as the weather improves.
"We're really happy to have it here," Collupy said. "We're very excited it all worked out."