Spring Recess

All schools will be closed for Spring Recess starting Thursday, March 28 through Monday, April 8. The first day back from break is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9. Have a safe and enjoyable break!

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Special Olympics USA Games logoUpdate: Thursday, July 5

Columbia Unified Basketball lost to Ohio 22-11 yesterday and will play Washington in the Bronze Medal game today at 2:45 p.m. EST. Watch the game on the team’s Facebook feed.

Update: Wednesday, July 4

Columbia Unified Basketball defeated Ohio 20-14 yesterday.

Update: Tuesday, July 3

Columbia Unified Basketball went 1-1 representing New York at the Special Olympics USA Games yesterday. They lost to New Jersey 25-14 but rebounded to beat Washington 48-17.

Columbia’s next game is against Ohio today at 12:15 p.m. EST. Follow the team’s Facebook feed.

Original Post: Sunday, July 1

The Columbia Unified Basketball team will play its first pool play games at the 2018 Special Olympics USA National Games in Seattle, Washington on Monday, July 2 at 5:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. EST. Columbia’s team is representing New York in the national tournament.

The team is comprised of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities and will compete against unified teams from across the country. The members of the team are current students and alumni of Columbia High School who all have participated on its Unified Basketball team.

“Everyone is feeling very excited and nervous all at the same time,” said head coach Audra Di Bacco. “Our players continue to talk about how cool and impressive it would be to win a medal.”

Fans can also watch the Columbia players and coaches march in as part of the New York delegation at the Opening Ceremony’s Parade of Athletes today at 3:30 p.m. EST, broadcast live on ABC.

Unified Sports is a partnership between Special Olympics New York and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) to provide interscholastic sports for students with and without intellectual disabilities. The program piloted in 2012 in Section 2 of NYSPHSAA with 12 schools. There are currently 129 schools participating across the state.

Follow the team in Seattle:

Unified Basketball Roster

  • Matthew Dzembo
  • Sean Freehill
  • Abhijeet Choudary Gudapati
  • Jacob Houser
  • Caitlin Lallier
  • Antonio Lebron
  • Eithan  Reynolds
  • Malliree Roberts
  • Austin Sitterly
  • Ryan Snyder