Albion school district may add unified bowling next school year

ALBION – The school district’s athletic department would like to add unified bowling in the 2024-25 school year, with the hope it leads to more participation in unified sports which include athletes with disabilities and student partners without disabilities.

“We have great kids here and it would be another opportunity for them,” Mariah LaSpina, the district’s athletic director, said during this evening’s Board of Education meeting.

The board would need to approve Albion’s participation, and also create a coaching position for the bowling team.

Unified sports are an inclusive program with an approximately equal number of athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without. They are on the same teams for training and competitions.

Currently in the Niagara-Orleans League there are three schools participating in unified bowling and basketball – Medina, Akron and Newfane. LaSpina said she has polled the other athletic directors with unified sports and they are very positive about the program.

“There are so many opportunities that come out of it,” she said.

Some of the student partners on the teams have gone on to pursue careers as special education teachers, she said.