Page 7 - 2023-24 Unified Flag Football State Finals Program

DeKalb Barons Champions Together Initiative

Dk. Lt. Name
1 1 Noah Griggs This exceptional program started in 2012 when then IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox
2 2 Colton Johnson challenged the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee (S.A.C.) to identify an organization to partner with
3 3 Kadin Henderson to build and maintain a legacy of servant leadership. The S.A.C. set out to find a not-for-profit
7 7 Scott Slaybough organization that would be dedicated to supporting this goal. Eventually, the S.A.C. unanimously
8 8 Drew Waldon
9 9 Logan Fletcher recommended that a partnership be formed between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN)
11 11 Ray Chalfin based on a “mutual love of sports”. The IHSAA Executive Committee supported that recommendation
13 13 Deegan Lynch and the Champions Together partnership was born and introduced to the IHSAA membership with the
14 14 Myles Dobson philosophy, “Servant Leadership, Changing Lives”.
15 15 CJ Putman
17 17 Aiden Maloney Champions Together has experienced exceptional growth since its inception. Just 13 schools
18 18 Briar Hartleroad participated in the inaugural Unified Track and Field State Tournament in 2013. It spread across the
19 19 Ayden Hoffman state with now retired Champions Together Director, Lee Lonzo, traveling thousands of miles with
20 20 Christian Butcher
21 21 Michael Smith Special Olympics Advocates Mitch Bonar and Andrew Peterson spreading the ideas of inclusion,
22 22 Carson Culbertson acceptance and respect to school leaders and student bodies. Unified Flag Football launched in
23 23 Skyler Simmons 2018 and has grown from 25 schools participating in the inaugural State Tournament to 44 schools
24 24 Michael Rigsby in 2023. Through the efforts of countless dedicated and selfless individuals throughout the state, the
Front Row (left to right): Skyler Simmons, CJ Putman, 27 27 Jackson Shores unified movement will continue to grow and change the lives of student-athletes, student-partners,
Drew Waldon, Myles Dobson, Carter Thompson, Aiden Maloney; 30 30 Carter Thompson coaches, parents, and entire communities.
2nd Row: Coach Bryce Dobson, Mgr. Claribel Pinedo,
Colton Johnson, Kadin Henderson, Noah Griggs, Mgr. Adam Dunn, Coaches - Carol Fike, Ryan Baker, The relationship between the IHSAA and SOIN remains strong. SOIN assists the IHSAA in running
Michael Rigsby, Coach Bryan Sutton, Co-Head Coach Ryan Baker; Doug Kelley, Brennen Maloney, their tournaments by providing technical support in implementing Unified Sports based on more than
3rd Row: Coach Gage Schnelker, Coach Doug Kelley, Michael Smith, Bryan Sutton, Bryce Dobson, 20 years of experience. They have also provided financial grants to schools who start Unified Sports
Logan Fletcher, Christian Butcher, Ray Chalfin, Gage Schnelker programs, paid all costs of IHSAA Unified Sports Tournaments, and provided more than 270 school
Co-Head Coach Carol Fike, Coach Brennen Maloney; assemblies either in-person or virtually promoting respect and inclusion. SOIN also sponsors two high
Not Pictured: Jackson Shores, Scott Slaybaugh, Briar Hartleroad, Manager - Claribel Pinedo school state championships in Unified Bocce (8th annual) and Unified Bowling (6th annual), providing
Ball Boy - Adam Dunn
Deegan Lynch, Ayden Hoffman
competitive opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Unified eSports and
Carmel Greyhounds Unified Robotics have emerged out of the pandemic as two new options for SOIN sponsored
championships.
Champions Together is more than just Unified Sports. Champions Together programs promote
acceptance, tolerance, a sense of community, school pride, comfort, belonging, healing and
Dk. Lt. Name sometimes even therapy for some. Champions Together positively changes the culture in schools,
1 1 Stone Stephenson helps increase graduation and attendance rates, and helps form life-long friendships that otherwise
2 2 Alexander Sharp might not have been created.
3 3 Emily Switzer
4 4 Jack Henney Be part of the #InclusionRevolution and #PlayUnified! Thank you for your continued support of
5 5 Bennett Austgen Champions Together!
6 6 Ethan Miller
7 7 Brayton Gray Brian Avery – Director of Champions Together
8 8 Samuel Anderson
9 9 Jacob Moon
10 10 Tristan Stahly
11 11 Daniel Ward
12 12 Will McKee
13 13 Stella Kester
14 14 Marleigh Fowler
15 15 Vince Marraccini
16 16 Lilly Small
Kneeling (left to right): Stone Stephenson, Alexander Sharp, Emily 17 17 Thomas Haugo
Switzer, Jack Henney, Bennett Austgen, Ethan Miller, Brayton Gray; 18 18 Patrick Engledow
Standing: Coach Jamie Stephen, Samuel Anderson, Vince Marraccini, 19 19 Braydon McIntyre
Jacob Moon, Lilly Small, Tristan Stahly, Daniel Ward, Patrick Engledow, 20 20 Joe Gasta
Braydon McIntyre, Stella Kester, Joe Gasta, Marleigh Fowler, Coach
Ryan Liphard Coaches - Jamie Stephen,
Ryan Liphard, Kate Scott

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