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Sports A receiver sneaks past the corner on a passing play run at a practice on Sept. 5. Photo by Sam Syrus
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Unified in play Flag football aims to grow bonds on and off field Nate Albin
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albinnat000@hsestudents.org
ports calendars all across the nation are highlighted by football. At FHS, however, there are two separate football teams both with the objectives of getting in shape, winning and building relationships. Of course, there is IHSAA football, but there is also Champions Together flag football. The flag footballers get a different sort of opportunity. The sports’s objective is more than just getting the wins. Special needs students and nonspecial needs students play together. “Champions Together combines social and physical aspects,” sophomore Sam Syrus said. “I’ve made a ton of friends while getting in shape at the same time.” For the athletes, it is a different kind of commitment than the IHSAA. Two-a-days are trading for two practices a week. Shoulder pads and helmets do not exist, but instead each player has a belt of flags. They do not clobber the guy from the other team but rather yank off flags. It is more about getting fit and learning to work together. “I like to be able to be active,” senior Evan Barker said. “And I am able to get a chance to get exercise play more sports because of it.” The sport is an easy choice to join for many. Athletes view the sport as a different sort of 3 experience than the IHSAA sports. 221 2
“I joined because I have a special place in my heart and a passion for helping those with special needs feel accepted,” sophomore Kaelyn White said. “As an athlete, I have a passion for sports that I want them to play too.” For athletes like White, they feel the same camaraderie from being a part of a school team as they do being a part of a Champions Together. They also gain other benefits they cannot get from 1 IHSAA sports. “To play with this team is just like playing with 2 team,” White said. “I love sharing any other school my love of sports with the special needs kids and seeing them grow.” Socially, the athletes think the impact reaches far off the field; they believe the team builds special bonds that can only be made on the field while playing. “I have gotten a lot because of the unique opportunities, physically and socially, from the playing together,” Syrus said. “I feel it is a great use of my time.” Players know this means more than a game to everyone on the team. Regardless of whether or not they win or lose games to other schools’ programs, these players know they will walk away with more than improved fitness. “I have made lots of friends from it,” Barker said. “It has changed my life.”
