Students from seven local school districts, some with special needs, recently passed, ran and grabbed opponents’ flags in the second annual Unified Flag Football Day at the AHN Montour Junction Sports Complex in Coraopolis.

The event, held on Nov. 14 with the help of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, promoted teamwork and the chance for players of all abilities to enjoy the game.

The Baldwin-Whitehall School District organized the inaugural event last year and celebrated this year with twice as many teams, including: Carlynton, Elizabeth Forward, West Jefferson Hills, Avonworth, Pittsburgh Conroy and Upper St. Clair.

“We had a great day competing against our friends from other schools at Special Olympics Unified Flag Football,” said Avonworth life skills teacher Tiff White. “Any day that we can promote and celebrate inclusion, count us in!”

For six weeks, more than 140 students participated and practiced a couple times a week in preparation for the event.

“What’s great about the Unified model is that the partners [non-disabled players] play right alongside their high school-aged peers in competition. It’s truly inclusion at its finest,” said Eric Jankoski, special education transition coordinator for Baldwin-Whitehall School District.

Baldwin physical education teacher Tim Laughlin engineered ways to adapt wheelchairs for the flag football event, making sure students who use them could also participate.

“While academic pursuits are crucial, we recognize that they alone are not sufficient,” said Baldwin High School special education teacher Joshua Stahl. “Athletics such as Unified Flag Football contribute significantly to the physical, physiological and social development of young individuals. These programs offer invaluable opportunities for teenagers to acquire essential values like teamwork and collaboration.”

Stahl said Baldwin’s special education team forms a supportive community dedicated to providing positive interactions for students. 

“As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village,’ and this sentiment truly resonates with our work,” he said.

Jankoski said the event was a success on many levels.

“It went so well! Everyone had a great time and was talking about it,” he said.

“I think one of the things I liked seeing the most was the students who acted as coaches for their teams. Many of them were varsity football players from their respective schools.

“We saw students design their own plays to use during the competition. They took it seriously and wanted to make sure that their team got the full-on football experience.”

First Published: December 16, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
Updated: December 16, 2023, 7:18 p.m.