North Salem High School to host first ever Unified Basketball Game

North Salem High School will host its first Unified boys and girls basketball game Wednesday. Unified Sports is an official program of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and joins people with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team.

More than 7,800 schools across the country and nearly 230 in New York state participate in the Unified Sports program. The program operates through a partnership between NYSPHSAA and Special Olympics New York.

“The game is a wonderful opportunity for folks to show support for our fellow classmates and students (and Mr. Veteri the Coach),” North Salem Middle/High School principal Vince DiGrandi wrote in an email to students. DiGrandi encouraged students and families to “pack the stands like a ‘Friday Night Lights’ game” to watch the Tigers take on neighboring Brewster.

Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director of NYSPHSAA, said, “the Unified Sports programs implemented within school districts throughout the state of New York have had tremendous benefit upon students, schools and communities. The partnership between NYSPHSAA and Special Olympics New York has resulted in thousands of students learning valuable lifelong lessons.”

The Unified Basketball game will take place Wednesday, April 26 at 3:30 p.m. in the North Salem High School gym.