Northeast Coyotes offers inclusive sports program

A team called the Northeast Coyotes is making waves in the sports world.

This spring, Lone Star, Haxtun and Holyoke teamed up for a basketball season with 13 junior high and high school students — a mix of those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities and peer partners.

One of Holyoke Dragons’ biggest fans, HHS senior Austin Durbin, was one of the team participants.

“It’s given him an opportunity to participate in a sport he loves to watch and play,” said Austin’s mom, Kelly Durbin, noting that now he can be out there on the court like the athletes he’s faithfully watched for so many years.

The program was originally associated with Special Olympics when it started last year, but organizers Amanda Cook and Craig Parker, both teachers at Lone Star, are working to align it with Northeast BOCES.

The Coyotes practice once a week and travel for games during the two-month season, which recently concluded at a game in Akron.

Cook said other area schools are interested in forming teams. “It’s expanding quickly,” she said.

She has loved watching the students improve. “Partners have been instrumental in this. It’s really created a sense of inclusion.”

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