After a two-year COVID-19 pandemic related delay, the Huntington High School Unified basketball team will take the court for the first time this spring after the Blue Devils joined the relatively new program sanctioned by the New York State Public High School Assn. and Section XI.
Those interested in playing on the Blue Devil Unified basketball team can sign-up in the nurse’s office during any school day.
Unified Basketball is a varsity sport that features Special Olympians paired with general education students who serve as teammates and assistants on the co-ed rosters.
A team meeting for prospective players will be held on Wednesday (April 6) at 7 p.m. via the Zoom online platform The meeting ID is 931 3385 6298. The passcode is 048108. All are welcome. A QR code is available for scanning on the Unified basketball flyer posted on the Huntington UFSD website.
The Huntington team will be coached by J. Taylor Finley Middle School physical education teacher Jordan Ioviero, who also serves the high school varsity boys’ basketball team’s assistant coach. Special Education Chair Linda Costello-Roth is assisting with the squad.
Practices are tentatively slated for April 26 and 28; May 3, 5, 10, 18 and 23 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Players must arrange for their own transportation home. Games are scheduled for May 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 and 31 against Commack, John H. Glenn, Half Hollow Hills West, Northport, Half Hollow Hills East and Kings Park. Home games will be played in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium at the high school.
Players should sign up in the nurse’s office by April 15. Send a message to Mr. Ioviero (jioviero@hufsd.edu) or Mrs. Costello-Roth (lroth@hufsd.edu) for additional information.
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. The team will play a six game regular season schedule. If it qualifies, playoff rounds will follow. Huntington’s first game will be played on Thursday, May 12 at Commack at 5 p.m.
Special Olympics Track & Field
Huntington students in grades 9-12 are also invited to participate in the Special Olympics track and field program this spring. A link for all the participation forms for the track and field program is posted on the main page of the district’s website under Daily Downloads; Informative Links.
Practices for track and field will be held from 5:15-6:30 p.m. on the high school track on selected days, which will be announced once the team is organized. Blue Devil athletes and coaches will assist.
Huntington’s Unified track and field team will compete against other Long Island high schools in a variety of events, including sprints, distance and field events. The Special Olympics Spring Games will be held in May at Farmingdale High School.
Send a message to Mrs. Costello-Roth (lroth@hufsd.edu) for additional information about the Special Olympics track and field program.