Coaches Kevin Bavery and Jessica McIntosh said the response to Middleton High School’s first year in the Adaptive Sports League has been overwhelming – in a good way.
“The support and the turnout on game nights has been overwhelming, and it is so appreciated,” McIntosh said. “Many of our student-athletes experienced performing in an athletic environment in front of big crowds for the first time.”
MCPASD joined the league, which was started by the Sun Prairie School District for high school students with disabilities, last fall. In addition to Middleton High School’s team, the league included teams from Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West, DeForest and Waunakee.
McIntosh said the response from Middleton High School families, staff, student body as well as the Middleton community has been the best part about the league.
“Our student-athletes are recognized and acknowledged by our student body throughout the school day,” McIntosh said. “And most importantly they – and we – are having fun. It is a very joyful experience for everyone.”
The league included three seasons: soccer in the fall, floor hockey in the winter, and wiffle ball in the spring.
“Some students did all three sports, but the breakdown was 15 students for soccer, 15 for floor hockey and 19 for wiffle ball,” Bravery said.
Bavery said he has heard positive feedback from students and families.
“They love it!” Bavery said. “They are grateful, with many people expressing this is something they've been wanting for quite some time. They are appreciative that we have such an inclusive, innovative, and progressive school district.”
The league will continue in the 2025-2026 school year with the same three sports. The coaches hope more schools start adapted sports programs and join the league.
Congratulations to the student-athletes who participated in Middleton High School’s inaugural Adaptive Sports League!
2024-25 Adaptive Sports League Participants:
Coleman Bray
Kyle Brenner
Micah Brintlinger
Ezra Burger
David Chang
Aarav Gandhi
Sophia Hanz
Adi Hassrick
Joe Hovde
Booth Jagielski
Fatima Jalloh
Arnav Kakade
Sean Kalina
Jacob LaBissoniere
Ryder McCarthy
Jack Rothering
Jaxon Schweickhardt
Allie Simmonsen
Sammy Trinkl
Wyatt Watson