FORT PIERCE — Indian River State College (“The River”) Softball hosted a Unified Sports kickball game with Project STAGE students Monday, Oct. 13, at Dale Atkinson Field. This community event launched Unified Sports at The River, a Special Olympics program that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete together.

The River is the first college in Florida to launch Unified Sports, and the third post-secondary institution, along with the University of Florida and Edward Waters University.

Indian River State College students and athletes celebrate together during a Unified Sports event, building camaraderie and school spirit through teamwork and connection.

Unified Sports at Indian River State College pairs Special Olympics athletes who are college students with other college students to compete on the same teams. The program encourages students to see past differences and connect through shared effort and sportsmanship. The event celebrated the campus community through friendly competition, music, food, and prizes.

“Unified Sports is about more than who scores. It’s about who belongs,” said Jill Pangle, Project STAGE Instructional Coordinator and co-sponsor of Unified Sports at Indian River State College. “When students play together, the walls come down fast. You see ability, effort, and joy first, and that changes a campus.”

“Sports have always been a shortcut to connection,” said Brett Williams, Indian River State College librarian and co-sponsor of the program. “This kickoff is a simple idea with a big impact: put students on the same side and let them compete together. That’s how it becomes part of our campus culture.”

Project STAGE combines classroom learning through the Specialized Career Training Course with paid and unpaid internships. Students develop job skills, create professional portfolios, and practice interviews while working closely with local employers.

The kickoff event drew enthusiastic participation from both Project STAGE students and the River Softball team, creating a spirited start to what the college hopes will become a long-standing campus tradition.

To learn more about Unified Sports at Indian River State College, visit https://irsc.edu/programs/special-programs/project-stage/ or contact Project STAGE at 772-462-4257.

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