The “Eastside Icebreakers”, the new unified basketball team at Bellevue East High School, breaks out as practice and games begin. The games guidelines are put up on Special Olympics Nebraska website in the basketball category and gives resources on how students play. These guidelines include the number of players ratios and the amount of swap out some of which is dependent on the school.
“Just like it’s their [the athletes] first year, it’s also my first year,” head coach Rachel Schutte said. “Itt can’t be partner passes to partner. It has to be partner passes to athlete. So, making sure that everyone gets touches and everyone’s participating. And I know there can be 3vs3and 5vs5, but I think time and roles are modified and accommodated based off of the team and the needs of the players. I don’t really know, but we’ll learn.”
According to Special Olympics Nebraska, unified basketball is one the most popular sports in the Special Olympics. The sport is also one of the favorites for the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative.
“Your teammates support each other during practices and games, cheer each other on, no matter if it’s good or bad,” freshman Zyanna Dozier said.
According to Nebraska News Service in 2023 over 60 schools in Nebraska were a part of a unified program in some way. Unified Sports goes across many different sports; bowling, basketball, and even flag football are all examples.
“It really started with the Papillion La-Vista South coach,” Schutte said. “He actually reached out to me, and then I had the opportunity to ask him questions about how scheduling went and what teams that he was playing, and he gave me a list, and then I reached out to those coaches. Since our conversation, I’ve been able to connect with the Omaha Bryan unified coaches. It’s kind of like a work in progress. But I’m thankful that we have found at least five or six schools that are participating and willing to play.”
Bellevue East High School also offers unified bowling and unified track and field in the school. Both sports have been popular within the school. Now, unified basketball has been added to the list.
“We obviously have a unified track and field team, and I know that other schools have it,” Schutte said. “We had talked about it at the end of the school year last year, and I kind of partnered up with both coach Lenears, and so they kind of helped me recruit. “
According to Nebraska News Service 82 percent of parents with children in unified sports report an increase of convenience their kid presents. The teams also present a chance for development of social skills and personal fitness.
“I want to get more help on playing basketball,” Dozier said. “I have my friends on the basketball team, and I like hanging out with them, and I like playing basketball.”
Practice for unified basketball occurs every Tuesday at 3:30 in Bellevue East High School. The Icebreakers have games filling up.
“[Pratice] is really fun,” Junior Myah McManigal said. “We get to dribble the balls around. Try to warm up games. I feel like there is a lot of team effort. It’s all about having fun.”
According to Nebraska News Service in an article written on UNLs unified teams they speak about the community building within the sport. Also reflecting on the successes and opportunities of teams like them.
“I think everyone should join and participate and attend when they can,” Schutte said. “It was just kind of like a combination of kids sharing they were going to do [unified basketball], and then those kids wanted to join, but also like connections that I had with kids. Then, the athletes are just kids that I emailed [their] parents. I emailed case managers to see if they had any kiddos that would be interested; some of them participated in unified track and field. So some of those connections were already established.”
According to Special Olympics Nebraska, students of all ages can come together to develop skills in basketball. The time within the game allows students with or without intellectual disabilities to get together to learn and have fun.
“We [love] our community, and just attending and supporting would enhance our school culture,our school morale,” Schutte said. “It would support inclusivity and understanding and acceptance. [It would] really feel like we’re not just a community with people that are like us, but we’re a community which includes people that are not like us and who are different. It’s the most joyful experience ever…the most beautiful example of human helping humans….”
