Page 9 - 2025-26 Unified Flag Football State Finals Program

Tournament Results Champions Together Initiative

Welcome to the 8th Annual Unified Flag Football State Championship. This event is a realization of a
Regional Semi-Finals Regional Championship State Finals collaborative effort between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana. As an education-based athlet-
October 11, 2025 October 11, 2025 October 18, 2025 ic entity, the IHSAA prides itself on providing opportunities for students from its’ 412 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.

DeKalb 50 The Champions Together Initiative 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 organiza-
tion that would be dedicated to supporting this goal. Eventually, the S.A.C. unanimously recommend-
South Bend DeKalb 69 ed that a partnership be formed between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN) based on
Adams 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”.
Valparaiso 28 Champions Together has experienced exceptional growth since its inception. The initiative started
DeKalb with 13 schools participating in Unified Sports® in the inaugural Unified Track and Field State
South Bend Adams Tournament in 2013. Now retired Champions Together Director, Lee Lonzo, traveled across the state
Homestead 42 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
45 schools in 2025. Through the efforts of countless dedicated and selfless individuals throughout
South Bend Homestead 37 the state, the unified movement will continue to grow and change the lives of student-athletes, stu-
Adams dent-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
McCutcheon 20
Grand Park 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
Brownsburg 32 high school state championships in Unified Bocce (10th annual) and Unified Bowling (8th 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
Warren Central 44 and SOIN to ensure outstanding Unified Sport participants are properly honored for their efforts in
Mooresville the classroom and on our playing fields. They also work to promote and grow the program through
coaches’ education initiatives.
Warren Central 45
Mooresville Warren Central Champions Together is more than just Unified Sports. Champions Together programs promote
acceptance, tolerance, a sense of community, school pride, comfort, belonging, healing and
Franklin Central 13 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.
Bedford N. Law. 26
Mooresville Be part of this outstanding program and #PlayUnified! Thank you for your continued support of
Champions Together!
Bedford N. Law. 38
Brian Avery – Director of Champions Together

8 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! 9