News & Media

Participants Reflect on the Power of Playing Unified

Student athletes were asked to write about how they've been changed by participating in Special Olympics Unified Sports® at their schools in our annual essay contest.

Here are quotes winning essayists shared during our 2026 Unified Sports® Awards Banquet that truly demonstrate the power and impact of the program:

"Little does [Aiyanna] know how much I have learned from her and how much she means to me."
- Emma Snow - Partner, Southington High School

"They not only included me but also showed me how to include others everywhere I go."
- Madison Lucuk - Athlete, Pomperaug High School

"I was helped in Unified Sports®, and someday I'll help others,"
- Caleb Zaczkowski - Athlete, Harborside Middle School

"Through Evan, I learned Unified Sports® is about more than just playing sports; it's about including others and building friendships."
"I may have joined Unified Sports® thinking I would make a difference, but in the end, Evan and Caleb made the biggest difference in me,"
- Violet Laird - Partner, Harborside Middle School

Congratulations to all of the seniors who completed the Unified Sports® season at their high schools and are graduating this month. We look forward to welcoming you to our Special Olympics community-based teams. To find out more about getting involved with a Special Olympics program in your community, email [email protected].

Youth Leaders Inspire Fun, Inclusion at Summer Games

For a first time, members of the CIAC Unified Leadership Council - students who play Special Olympics Unified Sports® and are athlete leaders at their high schools - manned a tent at Southern Connecticut State University during Summer Games weekend. Their goal was to interact with the athletes competing in the Games and offer them fun challenges and team-building activities to participate in between their events. The Council members' involvement not only delighted Summer Games participants, it also gave them an opportunity to connect with athletes of all ages who participate in Unified Sports® in their communities and experience one of Special Olympics Connecticut's State Games.

ESPN Hosts Unified Sports® Day

CIAC Unified Sports® staff, in conjunction with ESPN Wellness staff, organized a Special Olympics Unified Sports® Day at ESPN Headquarters in Bristol. During the event, athletes and partners who are involved in Unified Sports® programs at Bristol Eastern and Central High Schools, Oxford High School, and Chippens Hill Middle School participated in Unified Basketball and Volleyball alongside ESPN volunteers and experienced a fun, exciting and Unified day.

A highlight of the event was a Unified basketball game between the Oxford High team that will represent Connecticut at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis and a team of ESPN superstars including Jeremy Fowler, NFL writer and analyst. Watch a clip of the event that aired on ESPN SportsCenter here.

Drexler Named Special Olympics Ambassador for Southington Police 

Special Olympics Connecticut athlete and Global Messenger Brian Drexler was inducted as the Southington Police Department's new Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador during a ceremony at the police station earlier this month. Officer Michael Morley, Officer Timothy Bradle, and Officer Joseph Drake were instrumental in helping to make this awesome opportunity possible for Brian.

After officially signing a commitment to uphold the responsibilities and guidelines of his new role, Brian was given a full tour of the department - that included its police cruisers, SWAT truck, and motorcycles. 

Batchelder, Klein Become Health Messengers

We're proud to announce that Athletes Robin Batchelder and Peter Klein have completed their training to become our organization's newest Health Messengers.

In this role, Robin and Peter will educate people about our Healthy Athletes® program and wellness and fitness activities we offer year-round. Additionally, they will help train health practitioners and students pursuing careers in the healthcare field on how to treat people with intellectual disabilities. They'll do this by visiting college classrooms, hospitals, and other forums to share their personal experiences and insights.

Special Olympics is the largest healthcare organization for people with intellectual disabilities in the world. Here in Connecticut, we currently have a team of 15 Health Messengers helping to make this known and changing lives in the process.

Athletes Honored at Franciscan Awards Banquet

Global Messengers Jordan Lopez, DJ Green, Brian Drexler, Morgan Lazarra, and Jackson Berlin-Whitehead were honored at the 40th Annual Franciscan Sports Banquet a the Aqua Turf Club on June 2nd. In addition to our athletes, honorees and other special guests included Former NBA and UConn Basketball Player Emeka Okafor and Former UConn Men's Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun. Each Global Messenger was recognized and presented with a star pendant in honor of their dedication and success in sports. Special Olympics Connecticut President Mike Mason, Board Chair Lisa Kovlakas and Staff Member Angie D'Amico also attended the event.

Glads Visit Nasdaq for Closing Bell Experience

Athlete and Global Messenger Matt Glad and his dad Steve Glad along with athletes and guests from Special Olympics Minnesota traveled to New York City to visit Nasdaq as representatives of Special Olympics and be on hand for the Closing Bell on June 5th. Matt and Steve reported having an incredible time and that their experience also included a tour of Nasdaq headquarters.