Texas State University is proud to announce the launch of the Unified Intramural Organization, TXST Unified Champions, a new initiative rooted in the belief that inclusion is not optional in sport — it is essential.
By offering unified sports opportunities, Texas State students and members of the local community — both with and without disabilities — will compete side by side, building friendships, strengthening community ties, and fostering mutual respect through shared athletic experiences.
University faculty and staff recognized a significant gap in recreational opportunities for individuals who are no longer public schoolaged. After aging out of K–12 programs, many individuals with disabilities face limited access to organized sport and social recreation. TXST Unified Champions directly addresses this need by creating meaningful, ongoing opportunities for inclusive competition and connection.
Unified sports pair individuals with and without disabilities on the same teams, emphasizing teamwork, shared goals, and the celebration of diverse abilities. By launching this program, Texas State University reinforces its dedication to creating inclusive spaces where every individual is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive — on and off the court.
“Everyone deserves access to sport, connection, and community at every stage of life,” said Teri Carter, Associate Professor of Instruction; Specialty Adaptive PE. “This program ensures that inclusion does not end at graduation — it continues on our campus and within our broader community.”
The league currently includes athletes from TXST’s Bobcat RISE special needs students and the local San Marcos Wolverines Special Olympics basketball team. The inaugural games have already started at the Texas State Student Recreation Center and will continue through March.
This initiative also provides invaluable experiential learning for TXST students, particularly those pursuing careers in adapted physical education, recreational therapy, exercise science, athletic training, and related fields.
Working directly with individuals with disabilities in a structured, sport-based environment allows students to develop practical skills, empathy, communication strategies, and professional confidence that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone.
Ultimately, the goal is to help build a long-lasting partnership between TXST students and Special Olympics — one that grows beyond a single team or season. Organizers envision the program expanding into multiple sports, strengthening community ties, and eventually creating pathways for participation in larger regional and national Unified Sport events.
For more information about the TXST Unified Champions, including registration details and upcoming events, please contact Texas State University Recreational Therapy professor Shelby Sharpe at [email protected] or complete the interest form: TXST Unified Champions Interest Form: forms.office.
