MassBay Community College names coaches for Unified Sports program
· Yahoo Sports
MassBay Community College has named Kelly Graska and Richie Haskell co-head coaches of its Unified Sports program, which brings together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to compete as teammates in an inclusive athletic environment.
The program, the first of its kind at a Massachusetts community college, is preparing for another season in the Special Olympics Yawkey Basketball League, according to a community announcement. The initiative helps student-athletes develop athletic skills, build friendships and participate in team competition.
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Graska, coordinator of MassBay's Transitional Scholars Program, has worked at the college for more than 12 years. A former three-sport varsity athlete, she played field hockey at Roanoke College and comes from a family with a coaching background.
"Unified Sports is about so much more than competition," Graska said in a statement. "It's about creating a team where every athlete feels valued, supported and truly part of something."
Haskell, MassBay's executive administrator of student development, joined the college in 2022. He holds a bachelor's degree in education and history from Franklin Pierce University and has a personal connection to Unified Sports through his youngest son, who has participated in several Special Olympics events.
"I'm excited to continue growing Unified Sports at MassBay and to help our student-athletes reach their goals along the way," Haskell said in a statement.
Unified Basketball practices are scheduled to begin in early October, according to the announcement.
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This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: MassBay Community College names coaches for Unified Sports program