Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that allows students with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete together on the same sports team. Oxford High School’s program was started in 2017, and they are currently in the
middle of their Unified Bowling season. Oxford High School special education teacher, Kristin Busby, cares about ensuring that the kids in Unified Sports are having a great time and enjoying themselves throughout the meets. She helps with crowd control, snack duty, and anything else the players might need.

“They love hanging out with the kids that they do not get to see or take classes with,” Busby said. “I love that we have a new coach who takes it seriously and sees how important it is to all the kids.”

In 2023, Tyler Reed became the new head coach for Unified Sports, so this season will be his second time coach-
ing the team. He is also a current special education teacher at Oxford High School, so he gets to see some of his students in the
classroom and through Unified Bowling.

“A lot of the students in Unified Sports are in my class,” Reed said. “I enjoy watching their competitiveness at the bowling alley and inside the classroom. They strive to do the best they can and hold themselves to such a high standard.”

Unified Bowling is similar to other sports in the way that it brings students who may not normally have classes with each other, or see each other during the school day, together with a common interest.

“My favorite part about Unified Bowling is seeing students with disabilities and students without disabilities celebrating each other’s successes,” Reed said. “I love how they get to know each other and build relationships that exist not just at the bowling alley but outside the bowling alley as well.”

Oxford High School seniors can also choose to participate in Unified Sports if they have senior dismissal. There are currently 14 seniors who have chosen to be a part of the team for the bowling season.

“I chose to participate in Unified Bowling because I wanted to serve Oxford High School in a way that I haven’t before,” senior Sydney Scruggs said. “I get to meet so many sweet students and have so much fun with them.”

Many seniors are motivated to be in Unified Bowling for different reasons, but Scruggs is a part of Unified Bowling to be a more active part of her community and a positive light on her teammates.

“I think it’s important to get to share moments with these kids,” Scruggs said. “They look up to all of us volunteering so much, and it is such a great opportunity.”