Inclusive Sports
Lasting Impact
Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) and Central Michigan University (CMU) collaborated in 2013 on a first-of-its-kind Unified intramural league that brought together CMU students and Special Olympics athletes. It was a new opportunity for everyone that would change the athletes, students, and both organizations.
Caleb Ross played in the first league and continues to compete in Unified Intramurals at CMU today. “It was Unified Sports, I was excited to compete,” Ross said, “I liked seeing the college students when I first played soccer, and it was fun. Now we play against other schools.”
The league brought together students and athletes of all ability levels and interests to compete in Special Olympics Unified Sports® programming, creating a greater purpose beyond sports.
“I had played soccer and basketball my whole life with my peers, so I was looking forward to the challenge,” said Zachary Davison. “I thought, 'this should be interesting’, and the students gave me the competition that I crave.”
The athletes learned about the game and about themselves through participating in the league. “I learned not to use my hands unless I was the goalie,” said Samantha Buckmaste. “I also learned people skills and social skills. I love meeting people from new places, and soccer got me outside my comfort zone.”
The Unified intramural concept did bring reservations at first. But after the first week of competition, it quickly turned individuals into friends throughout the league.
“I had fear at first, because I didn’t know how Samantha would do,” said Buckmaster’s mother, Marilyn Zerbe. “Thinking back, it was important as a parent to get to know the other parents and students, and to share with them our experience as parents. A lot of those students had no experience with our athletes when they started, but you could see the friendships form. I was scared to death at first, but after I met the students, I learned not to be as scared, and it was fun.” The league expanded to basketball and kickball in the first year and continues today. It has become one of the staples for Special Olympics and CMU.
“I hope I gave them a good impression in showing what (SOMI) athletes’ capabilities are in person,” said Davison. “I stopped a few of their goals too.”
The bonds formed by students and athletes alike have provided a lifetime of memories and experiences both on campus and beyond. It is truly something that all participants look forward to.
“I learned not to use my hands unless I was the goalie. I also learned people skills and social skills. I love meeting people from new places, and soccer got me outside my comfort zone. I was scared to death at first, but after I met the students, I learned not to be as scared, and it was fun.”
– Samantha Buckmaster, athlete
“It was Unified Sports, and I was excited to compete. I liked seeing the college students when I first played soccer, and it was fun. Now we play against other schools.”
– Caleb Ross, athlete
“I had played soccer and basketball my whole life with my peers, so I was looking forward to the challenge. I thought ‘this should be interesting’ and the students gave me the competition that I crave. I hope I gave them a good impression in showing what SOMI athletes’ capabilities are in person. I stopped a few of their goals, too.”
– Zachary Davison, athlete
“I had fear at first, because I didn’t know how Samantha would do. Thinking back, it was important as a parent to get to know the other parents and students and to share our experience as parents with them. A lot of those students had no experience with our athletes when they started, but you could see the friendships form.”
– Marilyn Zerbe, Athlete’s mother