There’s something old and something new in the Huntington High School interscholastic athletic program. The boys’ bowling program has been reinstated after an absence of three decades and a new Unified bowling program has been added to the winter season offerings.
The Huntington School Board approved coaches for both teams during its public meeting on Tuesday, July 6. Billy Harris has been tapped as the Blue Devil boys’ bowling team coach with Linda Costello-Roth being appointed to lead the Unified bowling program. Both teams are expected to practice and compete at Larkfield Lanes in East Northport.
New uniform shirts and shorts have been ordered for both teams. Huntington sponsored a boys’ bowling program for decades, but the sport was eventually dropped in the early 1990s.
Mr. Harris is a bowling aficionado. He took up bowling early in life and has bowled in numerous local leagues right up to the present day. When asked, he quickly agreed to coach the new Blue Devil team. He is well known throughout the school community as Huntington varsity baseball head coach. He will also be coaching junior varsity football this fall.
The new squad has been issued an 18 meet schedule with two contests each against Deer Park, Northport, Harborfields, Walt Whitman, Smithtown, Commack, Hauppauge, Half Hollow Hills and Brentwood. Most of the matches will be held at Larkfield Lanes since that is also the home site of Northport and Harborfields.
Interested in joining the Blue Devil boys’ bowling team? Send a message to Mr. Harris at boomerfd142@gmail.com. Athletes will have to submit proof of a physical exam and a current interval health history form to the nurse prior to participation.
Unified bowling team to debut
Unified bowling is a varsity level sport that features Special Olympians paired with general education students who serve as teammates and assistants on the co-ed rosters.
Mrs. Costello-Roth is excited to be the first coach of Huntington’s Unified bowling team and she expects it will generate plenty of interest. She believes the practices and meets will be fun for everyone.
Interested in participating in the new Huntington Unified bowling team? Send a message to Mrs. Costello-Roth at lroth@hufsd.edu.
Section XI doesn’t formally schedule Unified bowling meets, leaving it up to individual high schools to arrange their own contests. Mrs. Costello-Roth doesn’t believe that will be a problem. “We will put together our own schedule and work together so everyone has a great time,” she said.
More than five dozen high schools in the state offer Unified bowling, but the program is still taking root in Suffolk. It receives media coverage in the Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse and Binghamton areas.
Participation in the Unified Sports program is “rooted in the principle of meaningful involvement which ensures that every player is given an opportunity to contribute to the success of his or her team through their unique skills,” according to NYSPHSAA. “Inclusive activity is among the most conducive ways to break down stereotypes and foster relationships.”
The Special Olympians on the team will take leadership roles.