Students in unified sports programs across the St. Vrain Valley School District gathered on Everly-Montgomery Field on Monday morning to celebrate the Unified Day of Champions.
The event began in the spring of 2021 when students in the unified sports program were unable to compete earlier in the school year.
“We wanted to offer our Unified Athletes the opportunity to have a great experience; that's how our Day of Champions originated. The event was so successful, that we just decided to move forward with the event being our spring offering for our Unified Athletes,” said Chase McBride, SVVSD executive director of athletics, activities, fine arts, PE and health.
In the fall, unified athletes have an opportunity to compete in bowling, followed by basketball in the winter.
Over 130 students, not including their peer mentors, took to the field to run in a 50-meter dash, bowl, play cornhole and shuffleboard, toss basketballs in hoops, play kickball and toss softball at a dunk tank to see their school administrators take a splash.
Students were also provided drums to keep a beat while other athletes performed in their events.
“The best part is seeing our Unified Athletes get the opportunity to have a great end-of-the-year experience. They get the opportunity to participate in multiple events including a chance to dunk their principals/other building administrators; it's always a fun highlight,” McBride said.
