Page 35 - 2024-25 Unified Track & Field State Finals Program

Unified Track and Field State Finals Unified Track and Field State Finals

Welcome to the 11th Annual Unified Track and Field State Championship. This meet is a realization
of a collaborative effort between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana. As an education-based
athletic entity, the IHSAA prides itself on providing opportunities for students from its’ 409 member
schools. Today’s event, and others like it, exemplify the best of sport and spirit. The IHSAA would
like to thank Special Olympics Indiana, and all who dedicate their time and abilities to provide
opportunities for all students throughout our state.
This exceptional program started in 2012 when former IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox challenged
the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee (S.A.C.) to find an organization to partner with to build and
maintain a legacy of servant leadership. The S.A.C. set out to find a not-for-profit organization that
would be dedicated to supporting this goal. Eventually, the S.A.C. unanimously recommended that a
partnership be formed between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN) based on a “mutual
love of sports”. The IHSAA Executive Committee supported that recommendation and the
Champions Together partnership was born and introduced to the IHSAA membership with the
philosophy, “Servant Leadership, Changing Lives”.
Champions Together has experienced exceptional growth since its inception. The initiative started
with 13 schools participating in Unified Sports® in the inaugural Unified Track and Field State
Tournament in 2013. Now retired Champions Together Director, Lee Lonzo, traveled across the state
with Special Olympics Advocates Mitch Bonar and Andrew Peterson spreading the ideas of
inclusion, acceptance and respect to school leaders and student bodies. Unified Flag Football
launched in 2018 and has grown from 25 schools participating in the inaugural State Tournament to
44 schools in 2024. Through the efforts of countless dedicated and selfless individuals throughout the
state, the unified movement will continue to grow and change the lives of student-athletes, student-
partners, coaches, parents, and entire communities.
The relationship between the IHSAA and SOIN remains strong. SOIN assists the IHSAA in running
their tournaments by providing support in implementing Unified Sports based on more than 20 years
of experience. They have also provided financial grants to schools who start Unified Sports programs,
paid all costs of IHSAA Unified Sports Tournaments, and organized more than 300 school
assemblies, either in-person or virtually, promoting respect and inclusion. SOIN also sponsors two
high school state championships in Unified Bocce (9th annual) and Unified Bowling (7th annual),
providing competitive opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Unified
eSports and Unified Robotics have emerged out of the pandemic as two new options for SOIN
sponsored championships. The Unified Coaches Association of Indiana now works with the IHSAA
and SOIN to ensure outstanding Unified Sport participants are properly honored for their efforts in
the classroom and on our playing fields. They also work to promote and grow the program through
coaches’ education initiatives.

Champions Together is more than just Unified Sports. Champions Together programs promote
acceptance, tolerance, a sense of community, school pride, comfort, belonging, healing and
sometimes even therapy for some. Champions Together positively changes the culture in schools,
helps increase graduation and attendance rates, and make possible life-long friendships that
otherwise might not have been created.
Be part of this outstanding program and #PlayUnified! Thank you for your continued support of
Champions Together!

Brian Avery – Director of Champions Together

34 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport! IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport! 35