Stephen Decatur High School coaches told the Worcester County Board of Education that the school’s Unified Sports program has expanded rapidly and become a major varsity activity that celebrates athletes with and without intellectual or physical disabilities.

Assistant principal and former special‑education teacher Mark Seitz (introduced the coaches) said Unified programs at Decatur include unified tennis in the fall, unified strength and conditioning in the winter, and unified bocce in the spring. Lindsey Owens and Shannon Bone, Decatur coaches, described the model: athletes with disabilities pair with non‑disabled teammates; teams compete in modified formats so all participants can succeed; and every participant receives varsity recognition, a varsity pin and certification.

Owens said unified strength and conditioning includes nine events spanning strength, speed/agility and endurance, and Decatur’s 2024–25 winter season had 67 participants after an initial interest list of 94. Bone said unified tennis returned this year with about 41 participants and noted strong volunteer support from student tennis players.

Coaches described community outreach and visibility: student athletes wore medals around school and were recognized by county commissioners; the program partnered with local businesses and fitness centers; and Decatur plans to submit an application to become a Unified Champion School, which requires whole‑school engagement, inclusive youth leadership and schoolwide celebration of inclusion.

Mark Seitz and board members praised coaches and families for their time and commitment. Board member John Andes thanked coaches and parents for sacrifices made to sustain the program and said the county is seeing the program spread to other schools, including Snow Hill High School.