Page 6 - 2021-22 Unified Flag Football State Finals Program

DeKalb Barons Champions Together Initiative

Dk. Lt. Name
3 3 Akita Walker In 2012, it began with a challenge from then IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox to the 18
15 15 Noah Griggs members of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee (SAC). A challenge to find an organization to
14 11 Bryce Dobson support on an on-going basis to build a legacy of leadership. The SAC researched not-for-profit
6 5 Maddison Linker organizations and unanimously recommended that a partnership be formed between the IHSAA and
24 24 Brianna Moore Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN) based on a “mutual love of sports.” The “Champions Together”
8 8 Jamie Gentis partnership was born and first introduced to the entire IHSAA membership in 2013-14 with the philos-
18 18 Donavan Neeley ophy, “Servant Leadership. Changing Live.”
23 23 Landon Aborn
4 4 Sarah Irons Champions Together has experienced exceptional growth since its inception over the past nine
10 13 Lionel Cox years. It started with 13 schools participating in Unified Sports® with the inaugural Unified Track and
25 25 Dayton Wright Field State Tournament in 2013. It spread to many schools across the state with retired Champions
19 19 Gage Schnelker Together Director, Lee Lonzo, traveling thousands of miles with Special Olympics Advocates Mitch
20 20 Christian Butcher
30 30 Stephen Elkins Bonar and Andrew Peterson spreading the word of inclusion, acceptance and respect to schools and
student bodies. Unified Flag Football launched in 2018 and has grown from 25 schools participating
Front Row (left to right): Coach Ryan Baker, Sarah Irons, Head Coaches - in the inaugural State Tournament to 41 schools in 2021. The unified movement will continue to grow
Brianna Moore, Jamie Gentis, Noah Griggs, Donavan Neeley, Ryan Baker, Carol Fike-Baker and change the lives of student-athletes across Indiana.
Akita Walker, Maddison Linker, Landon Aborn; 2nd Row: Lionel Cox,
Coach Mike Anderson, Coach Doug Kelley, Dayton Wright, Assistant Coaches - Champions Together is a collaborative partnership and SOIN continues to be a full partner in Cham-
Doug Kelley, Mike Anderson
Bryce Dobson, Stephen Elkins, Christian Butcher, Gage Schnelker, pions Together. SOIN helps by providing technical support in implementing Unified Sports based on
Coach Carol Fike-Baker more than 20 years of experience. They have also provided financial grants to schools which start
Unified Sports programs, paid all costs of IHSAA Unified Sports Tournaments, and provided more
than 250 school assemblies either in-person or virtually promoting respect and inclusion. SOIN also
sponsors two high school state championships in Unified Bocce (6th annual) and Unified Bowling (4th
Franklin Central Flashes annual) which provides competitive opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Unified eSports and Unified Robotics have emerged out of the pandemic as two new possibilities for
SOIN sponsored championships.
Dk. Lt. Name
1 1 Haley Shambaugh Champions Together is more than just Unified Sports. Being a part of Champions Together means
2 2 Braden Combest acceptance, community, school pride, comfort, belonging, healing and sometimes even therapy for
3 3 Olivia Turner some. Champions Together changes the culture in schools, creates opportunities for those who
4 4 Cale Cullingford necessary may not get it, and forms life-long & lasting friendships.
5 5 Aidan Lee Be part of the #InclusionRevolution and #PlayUnified!
6 6 Travis Dunlap Thank you for your continued support of Champions Together
7 7 Daniel Corbin
8 8 Jacob Graham
9 9 Eric Dunlap Mike Hasch – Special Olympics Indiana
10 10 Martin Sam
11 11 Curtis Hoffman
12 12 Bryce Jacob
13 13 Tyler Mayberry
14 14 Parker Haas
15 15 Jade Crouch
16 16 Hannah Shambaugh
17 17 Addison McGaughey
Front Row (left to right): Jade Crouch, Anthony Bohannon-Rodriguez, 18 18 Madelyn Mitchell
Haley Shambaugh, Curtis Hoffman, Benjamin Johnson, Aidan Lee, 19 19 Anthony Bohannon-Rodriguez
Bryce Jacob, Martin Sam; Back Row: Tyler Mayberry, Braden Comb- 21 21 Myles Craig
est, Olivia Turner, Cale Cullingford, Jacob Graham, Parker Haas, 25 25 Ben Johnson
Daniel Corbin, Hannah Shambaugh
Head Coach - Erik Godsey
Assistant Coach - Cassidy Corbin

6 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! 7