SPECIAL EDUCATION

Bemidji Unified celebrates alumni and program growth in annual basketball game

Jared Rubado — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:59:28 GMT

Aidan Skala and Cash Knutson were friends long before they played together on the Bemidji High �� Unified basketball team.

“I’ve known him since I was 5 years old,” Knutson said. The duo grew up together at Kids and Company — an after-school program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

“I remember he wouldn’t let me play with his Legos,” Knutson said with a laugh.

“Yeah, that’s true, but they were my Legos,” Skala quipped back at Knutson.

Skala and Knutson’s friendship came full circle on Wednesday night at the BHS Gymnasium. They took part in the third annual Unified basketball game, a night in which Bemidji and Menahga welcome the community to celebrate inclusion in a sporting event that features student-athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.

Skala has played in all three games at BHS.

“It was awesome because I like hanging out and seeing the friends I grew up with,” Skala said. “It’s really special that I get to share my last year with them and everybody. That’s what this is all about for me.”

Before the game, BHS went through its typical Unified routine. The rosters for each team were read by public address announcer Joel Hoover. Kal-El Spears read the Unified pledge, which promotes inclusion while exemplifying the harmful effects of using the R-word.

However, before the game tipped off, Unified program leader Jackie Stoffel had a surprise.

She introduced members from the first BHS Unified basketball team three years ago. Each of them, including Skala, received a gift bag.

“We officially have alumni,” Stoffel said. "We called those guys and asked if they wanted to come back. When you look back at the very beginning, it was something that was new. I think having (people) who are willing to try something outside the box was huge for the first step in creating this program and making it what it’s become.”

One former team member, Will Duncan, also spoke, showcasing one of many of his patented “dad jokes.”

“It’s awesome to see the friendships they make,” Stoffel said. “It’s always bittersweet to see kids graduate because you’re sad about that. But new kids come in and new friendships are built. You can’t describe what it feels like to see our kids meet new people, to see them walk down the halls saying hi to everyone. It really has an impact on our whole school.”

The aforementioned impact has reached the surrounding schools as well.

Menahga program director Isaiah Hahn has brought his Unified kids to Bemidji each of the last three years. It’s an anticipated trip, to say the least.

“Every year on the first day of school I have kids asking me, ‘When do we go up to Bemidji?’” Hahn said. “It’s just such a fun event. You have to give a lot of props to Jackie, she does such an amazing job with this program. It’s just super fun to come up here. We have our kids who know and are on social media talking to the Bemidji kids, having a good time. That’s what it’s all about, right? It’s about building relationships.”

The annual Unified basketball game at BHS showcases two teams with differing enrollments. Bemidji High �� enrolls over 1,400 students, while Menahga is a little under 300.

Despite the discrepancies in town population and school enrollment, Menahga’s inclusion efforts make it possible for its kids with intellectual disabilities to take part in athletics.

“It’s about rolling up your sleeves and getting to work,” Hahn said. “It’s about the kids. I’ll never forget when we started a Special Olympics program, and now that program has moved over to a Unified Champion ��, just like Bemidji is. It’s just so fun. The people our kids get to meet — from athletes to Unified partners to adults — it’s about building those relationships.”

After all, Unified sports are rooted in connections. Bemidji’s bond with Manahga is paramount to the growth of the annual basketball game.

“Our relationship with Menahga is amazing,” Stoffel said. "We host events and invite them, they host events and invite us. When people talk about rivals in typical sports, we don’t have that. We don’t have rivals. But Menahga, they are our people. We get to play against and be around our people and celebrate all of this with them.”

Once again, the bleachers at the BHS Gymnasium were packed. Spectators filed into the high school on a Wednesday night in the middle of a blizzard to show their support for a pair of Unified Champion ��s.

“It was awesome, I felt like I was at the Target Center out there,” Skala said. “I like the big crowd, and that’s what makes Unified special.”

“Honestly, it’s a little nerve-racking being out there in front of all of those people,” Knutson said. “It’s honestly just a very positive environment. If you make a mistake, there’s nothing to worry about because this is all about supporting other people.”

Knutson and Skala helped lead BHS to a 28-22 win. But as always, nobody cares about the score. It’s hardly a formality when it’s all said and done.

“Everybody I talk to talks about how great it is for these kids who have intellectual disabilities,” Hahn said. “I think about how awesome this is for the kids who don’t have intellectual disabilities and how this program shapes their character and ability to communicate with these individuals, both when they’re in and out of school. That’s what fills my heart every time.”

For Knutson, an accomplished offensive lineman on the BHS football team, joining the Unified program broadened his perspective on athletics.

“I’m part of this because I feel like it’s important to get everybody involved with sports in some capacity,” Knutson said. “It’s important to get everyone playing together and having fun together. It’s a very positive culture, everyone is positive and fired up to be here.

"This program really changes your perspective on things. Actually participating in it instead of watching, I feel a lot more involved than when I’m sitting in the stands with my buddies.”

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Local competitors take part in Bemidji High ��’s Unified track and field meet

Jared Rubado — Fri, 17 May 2024 00:22:16 GMT

BEMIDJI — Will Duncan is enjoying the fruits of being a Bemidji High �� Unified sports intern.

The BHS senior has been a staple member of the Lumberjacks’ Unified program during his time in high school. Supporters have seen him read the Unified Pledge at the annual basketball games, along with hearing his vocals as the emcee of the 2023 Unified Gala.

On Thursday, Duncan strolled around the BHS campus with a cup of coffee in hand, taking in the lunch break at the Unified track meet.

“I always said way back when, in order for you to be an intern, you have to drink like an intern,” Duncan quipped, raising his mug in the air.

Duncan and his teammates from BHS welcomed six other schools — Bemidji Middle ��, ��craft Learning Center, TrekNorth, Park Rapids, Bagley and Red Lake. Athletes and partners competed in the 25, 50 and 100-meter races, either running, walking or in a wheelchair.

Competitors also took to the field for the shot put, long jump and softball/tennis ball throws.

For BHS Unified director Jackie Stoffel, Thursday was about a return to the track with some local help.

“Special Olympics used to host (track meets) here, but they changed their model a little bit,” Stoffel said. “We reached out to 218 Sports. Ryan Rude from 218 Sports has been absolutely amazing. We wouldn’t have pulled this off without him and our senior interns.”

Rude is a Bemidji native and spent six years working at Concordia College in Moorhead. He played four years of Division III basketball with the Cobbers before transitioning to a different role in sports.

Now, Rude is back in Bemidji as the sports tourism director at 218 Sports, jumping at local opportunities to get involved, such as Unified events.

“All of the little things that go into organizing this — contacting the schools, setting up the races — he handled all of that,” Stoffel said. “It’s been really helpful because I have like 60 kids out here, so having an organization come in and help out, help with the communication with the schools, it’s just so important. We’re so grateful.”

Stoffel said Rude took a proactive approach toward working with the Unified interns.

“It’s nice because they got to work in a leadership role,” Stoffel continued. “It’s important (for the interns) to have a collaboration with them to pull this thing off.”

Reinvigorating a lane for Unified track to return to BHS was a meticulous process in terms of finding ways to make every event possible for the athletes and their varying abilities. BHS also hosted a bike race on Thursday on the track, as well as cornhole stations, face painting and other activities for participants.

“Back when Special Olympics would host it, they had some of those modifications,” Stoffel said. “Ryan had some collaboration with the Special Olympics to build off of their standard layout. We also talked with some teachers about the modifications they need for their students to be successful. We incorporated those things into the events so everybody has a chance to do them to the best of their abilities.”

Bemidji’s Unified athletes took part in various events throughout the school year, including a bocce ball tournament and the annual basketball game. On Monday, the Lumberjacks will congregate for the year-end banquet, another first for Stoffel in her eight years with the Lumberjacks’ Unified athletes.

“It’s exciting to see it grow,” she said. “I think the first couple of years was really about setting the groundwork to make this work. That home basketball game last year was really when the community started to feel the program and the excitement that comes with the program. They felt it at the Unified Gala last year, too.”

Stoffel said the goal is to keep adding Unified events every year, but admitted she feels like BHS is reaching its capacity as for what it can do on campus.

“The goal is to add more things like the banquet,” Stoffel said. “That’s huge for us because you look at any other high school athletic program, they do this celebration and banquet that gives them time to get acknowledged for the things that they’ve done. Next year on April 26, we’re going to have our second Unified Gala. People have been asking about the gala all year. We’re going to do it every two years.”

Regardless of what’s in store for the future of Bemidji’s Unified program, Stoffel never tires of seeing the smiles on event day. Whether it’s Duncan toasting his cup of coffee to a fulfilling day of competition or an athlete crossing the finish line for the first time, the fun times keep people coming back.

“I’m having fun, pretty much,” Duncan said. “It’s a little better with the sun out. It’s just the fact that we’re having a lot of fun.

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Bemidji and Menahga schools keep inclusion at the forefront of annual Unified basketball game

Jared Rubado — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:46:15 GMT

BEMIDJI — An errant shot clanked off the rim, and Kal-El Spears grabbed the rebound.

He looked toward the rim as if he was going to shoot, then brought the ball back down to his chest. The crowd at the Bemidji High �� gymnasium looked around in confusion.

When Spears grabbed the rebound, he handed the ball to Mason Molitor on the opposing team. He gave up his chance to make an easy basket.

“I liked passing to my teammates and teammates on other teams,” Spears said. “It’s about kindness. I refuse to shoot, and I want to make sure everybody gets a shot. I like Unified because I like to spread kindness and think about others. I like to put other people first. I like to make new friends.”

Spears did it again a few plays later. He looked for the next player on the floor who hadn’t gotten their chance to score in front of a crowd of over 1,500 people.

“It was really cool to see him make sure everybody is included,” BHS senior Aiden Neadeau said. “Everybody gets to be part of this, which is why we do this. It was awesome — just incredible. This was the most packed I’ve ever seen this gym. It was great to see everybody come out and support us. It was a great time for everybody, and I hope everybody had a blast.”

BHS hosted a pair of Unified basketball games on Wednesday night. The A team game featured players from Bemidji and Menahga, with the B squad contest taking place during halftime between two groups of Lumberjacks.

Unified teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. It’s a Special Olympics program that joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

“I love hanging out with these guys,” Neadeau said. “I consider them some of my closest friends. It’s great to come out here and hang out with them in school all the time. It teaches me how to be a better person and a more patient and understanding person. This whole thing is so important for our school.”

From the perspective of BHS Unified Director Jackie Stoffel, Spears exemplified who he is and what the second annual Unified basketball game is all about.

“I had Kal-El in elementary school,” Stoffel said. “I always say to people that when kids are little, you wonder what they’re going to do and what they’re going to accomplish. It’s cool for me to be able to teach them at a young age. Now that I’ve moved to the high school, I get to see all of the wonderful things they do as they head into adulthood.”

The night commenced with a series of player introductions. Bemidji’s Will Duncan and Menahga’s Henry Hultberg addressed the spectators with sentiments toward inclusion and the Unified pledge.

“Tonight means more to us than we can express with words,” Duncan said to the crowd.

The game itself electrified, specifically Bemidji’s Wylie Bowman and his five made 3-pointers. Menahga’s Jordy Thomas also sank the game-winning bucket with five seconds left, sending the near-capacity crowd into pandemonium.

“This is actually the first time I’ve seen Menahga win, and that’s awesome,” Spears said. “I’ve never seen them win before. Everybody (deserves) to win.”

Stoffel has worked in special education in the Bemidji school district for 12 years. When the Unified program started halfway through her tenure, she hoped it would be an opportunity to showcase her students’ talents on a more public level. Seeing the BHS Gymnasium draw its largest crowd of the year for the event was an emotional experience.

“When Unified started here, it was just about building the awareness of it,” Stoffel said. “Last year was when the community started to get involved with the gala and the home game. They started to feel the joy that comes with Unified. It was great to see an even bigger crowd come out tonight than we had last year. I think it’s only going to grow from here.”

Special Olympics Minnesota announced that Bemidji, a Unified Champion ��, has received national banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without intellectual disabilities. BHS earned this distinguished status before the Unified basketball game by meeting 10 national standards of excellence in inclusion, advocacy and respect.

“When you see them presenting their national banner, you just see how hard they worked and how special it is when they get to show that off,” Stoffel said. “For me, it’s fun to sit back and watch them become leaders. … The best part of my job is getting to watch these kids shine. I get to see a lot of wonderful things in school, but one of my favorite parts is watching other people watch them so they get to see what I see in them.”

Despite his notion to pass first, Spears got his basket in the first half. He followed up his mid-range shot by pointing to the ice in his veins as he looked toward the BHS student section.

“I looked like LeBron James,” Spears said with a big smile.

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Bemidji High ��'s first-ever Special Olympics basketball match-up unifies community

Daltyn Lofstrom — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 21:37:30 GMT

BEMIDJI — Bemidji High �� had a historic night on Wednesday as it furthered its commitment as a Unified Champion ��.

As part of its programming, the BHS basketball court saw some action as Bemidji’s Unified Basketball team welcomed Menahga in a game to promote inclusive student leadership, Unified Sports and whole school engagement — the three pillars of a Unified Champion ��.

“This is absolutely a historic event. This is the first Unified basketball game where two schools have come together to play,” said Shannon Murray, schools program manager for northern Minnesota’s Special Olympics events. “The school has set this up similar to a varsity basketball game and the stands are packed.”

Murray detailed there are four regional tournaments in “A” and “B” divisions for Unified Basketball. BHS and Menahga both qualified for a state tournament that will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Wednesday’s event could be seen as a “warm-up” to their opportunity at state with BHS and Menahga’s “A” teams playing two halves while BHS’ “B” and “B2” teams played during halftime.

“We are proud to be able to compete and represent our schools here tonight,” BHS senior Will Duncan said. “We will respect each other and have great sportsmanship. Trust me, that doesn’t mean we won’t work hard and compete.”

Punctuating the value of sportsmanship, Will Peterson of Menahga added, “tonight is the first Unified game in Bemidji and we are proud to be part of this game together.”

Peterson recited the Unified Oath prior to the game before Duncan encouraged audience participation, asking attendees to repeat after him.

“I pledge to overcome the fear of difference and replace it with the power of inclusion,” Duncan recited before the tip-off.

Community support

While BHS came out ahead of Menahga 54-40, the points were not the purpose of the night.

Developmental Adapted Physical Education teacher Jackie Stoffel noted community support at Wednesday’s game and hoped each attendee realizes the importance of inclusion once the final buzzer rang.

“The (BHS) sports teams, the college, everybody just hopped on board and made this a real community event,” Stoffel said. “These different inclusive sports are amazing. … They’re great learning experiences and they’re just amazing to be around.”

BHS senior Brynn Peterson is the co-president of BHS’ Special Olympics Unified Club along with being captain of the girl’s basketball team, and emphasized several takeaways from her and others' experiences in the sports realm.

“To us, basketball is more than a sport. It forms friendships and teaches us skills that will help us in life,” Peterson said. “Teamwork, responsibility and inclusion are just a few of the many things we learn through sports.”

Murray hopes that Bemidji students realize their leadership potential through their participation in the Unified program.

“This is really a movement for inclusion that’s happening globally and Bemidji is leading the charge in Minnesota,” Murray left off. “It’s a phenomenal program with some great kids, so I hope they take away a lot of pride in knowing what an amazing job they’re doing.”

Capping off their support, Gene Dillon Student Council presented Unified programming with $300 during half-time that they raised through their hat day fundraiser.

The mission

According to the Special Olympics Minnesota, their mission is to “provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”

Special Olympics Unified Champion ��s build on this mission by aiming to unify students with and without disabilities through sports, whole-school activities and leadership programs in order to promote inclusion, acceptance and respect.

BHS became the first school in the area to become a Unified Champion �� around seven years ago and became the first district in the state to implement Unified programming district-wide last year.

BHS more recently hosted the inaugural Unified Indigenous Games Invitational in December, which was a partnership between Special Olympics Minnesota and Oneida Nation member Dan Ninham to offer students a chance to participate in several Indigenous activities.

More information can be found at specialolympicsminnesota.org.

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SPECIAL EDUCATION

Bemidji Unified celebrates alumni and program growth in annual basketball game

Local competitors take part in Bemidji High ��������’s Unified track and field meet

Bemidji and Menahga schools keep inclusion at the forefront of annual Unified basketball game

Bemidji High ��������'s first-ever Special Olympics basketball match-up unifies community

Local competitors take part in Bemidji High ��’s Unified track and field meet

Bemidji High ��'s first-ever Special Olympics basketball match-up unifies community