Unified Champion School
“Unified Sports was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.”
~ Special Olympics Colorado
Pine Creek High School is the only Unified Champion High School in D20 through Special Olympics Colorado. We represent a powerful model of inclusion and community, enriching the lives of students while promoting a culture of respect and understanding.
Three unified sport seasons are offered for athletes with intellectual disabilities and unified partners without intellectual disabilities:
Bowling (Fall)
Basketball (Winter)
Soccer (Spring)
Our hope is to grow the Unified Champion School program to all schools in the district through:
Inclusive Participation: The program allows students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate together, promoting teamwork and friendship across diverse backgrounds.
Leadership Opportunities: Students without disabilities often take on leadership roles, which helps them build valuable life skills and encourages them to advocate for inclusivity.
Skill Development: Participants enhance their athletic skills while learning essential life skills such as cooperation, leadership, and communication.
Community Building: The program fosters connections not only among students but also with families and the wider community, creating a supportive network that enhances school spirit.
Awareness and Advocacy: Involvement in unified sports helps raise awareness about disabilities and promotes advocacy for inclusion, shaping a more understanding of school culture.
Health Benefits: Regular physical activity contributes to overall health and well-being, instilling lifelong fitness habits in all participants.
Positive Environment: The focus on collaboration and mutual support creates a positive atmosphere that encourages resilience, respect, and empathy.
Memorable Experiences: Competing together fosters strong bonds and creates lasting memories, enhancing the overall high school experience for all students involved.
Program Details
Athletes must meet Special Olympics requirements to participate in Unified Sports. Unified Partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) train and compete as a teammate alongside Special Olympics athletes on a Unified Sports Team. Unified Partners will be selected by our coaches and asked to fill out the partner application through Special Olympics.
Visit the Special Olympics Colorado Home webpage for more information on applying.
Application/Registration Process
If your athlete would like to participate, please complete the following steps:
Complete the Special Olympics Athlete Application (needs to be updated every 3 years and requires a physical)
If you are not a Pine Creek High School (PCHS) student, complete the School Assignment Process
Complete the PCHS Athletic Registration process (a sports physical is required)