UC Hosts Largest-Ever Unified Skills Day, Uniting Students Through Sports and Community

The University of Cincinnati (UC) recently hosted Unified Skills Day, a high-energy event designed to bring students together through basketball, health education, and creative activities. With 381 students and 61 educators in attendance, this was the largest event of its kind, made possible through a collaboration between Special Olympics Ohio, the Cleveland Cavaliers, UC Campus Recreation and the IDD Center.

Students spent the day practicing basketball skills, learning about health and wellness, participating in arts and crafts, and enjoying lunch together. More than just a fun day on campus, Unified Skills Day encouraged students with and without intellectual disabilities to work together, fostering teamwork and community.

One of the most memorable moments came when Scott MacDonald and Luke Toth from the Cleveland Cavaliers Youth Sports/Cavs College Tour team led a gym-wide cheer, with students enthusiastically chanting “Bearcats, Bearcats, Rawr!” Cavs College Tour coaches, some of whom are Cincinnati locals, also guided students through basketball drills used by the Cleveland Cavaliers' professional team.

The impact of the event was clear. Scott MacDonald, senior director of youth sports partnerships for the Cleveland Cavaliers, shared his appreciation for UC’s role in bringing students together.

"Thank you for the world-class hospitality at the University of Cincinnati today! It takes a ‘village’ to make a difference in our kids' lives and seeing you and the University ‘lean in’ to love on our special abilities athletes is priceless. We were so impressed with the facility, the students at UC, and the entire day. We would love to keep in touch as we work to make a difference in the youth sports community in Cincinnati."

MacDonald also noted that this was the largest Cavs College Tour event ever held, more than doubling the usual 200-student attendance.

With the overwhelming success of Unified Skills Day, UC Campus Recreation and the IDD Center hope to make this an annual event, expanding opportunities for inclusive sports and activities. The Intramural Sports program is also looking at offering unified leagues in the future, ensuring that students of all abilities have a place to connect, energize and thrive.