Inclusivity is a pillar that Fraser High School stands proudly upon, allowing it to shine a light on the talents and strengths of all its students. Fraser works hard to incorporate every kid into the school culture in order for everyone to feel seen and represented. FHS creates new opportunities for all different kinds of students; it has a multitude of sports teams, honor societies, art programs, STEM courses, medical classes, business opportunities, technology programs, a very involved group of student representatives, and so much more. One of the most recent opportunities that Fraser has implemented is the Unified Basketball Team.
This year, students who receive special education services were joined by members of the Peer-to-Peer program to create the first ever Fraser Unified Basketball team. Coaches Steve Norgrove and Dan Hogan led the team in a successful, unifying season.
Students who typically do not have many opportunities to immerse themselves into school events were able to shine on this team. Their excitement was palpable from the stands, and it spread throughout the entire school into the hearts and minds of all students supporting the program.
Coach Norgrove felt this excitement as well. “This team unified our community and FHS by the outpouring of support from all facets of the school. The entire community came together to support these athletes. Everyone can see the joy these students possess as they participate in basketball,” Norgrove said.
Norgrove saw the effects that this support had on the members of the team. For him, the highlight of the season for was getting to see participants gain confidence and build a sense of belonging through the Unified Basketball team at Fraser.
One of these participants was Breyah Reed. Reed has soaked up every element of her high school experience. She is on Fraser’s Student Council, and she has been a member of both the volleyball and cheer teams in the past. She is a part of the special education program at Fraser, and she was a crucial part of the Unified basketball team. Reed loved being a part of that community. “My favorite memory from this season was bonding and having so much fun,” Reed said.
She was able to bond with her own team and the other teams they played against. “I met the Unified Basketball Team at Lakeview. We sat down and had lunch. We made connections,” Reed said.
These connections influenced the culture of the whole crowd.
“The gym [was] packed in support of the team and the crowd cheering for both teams,” Norgrove said. The uplifting attitude of the fans never wavered. Support for both teams was evident from the Fraser crowd. While still allowing for all students to experience the competitive nature of basketball, the Unified team fostered encouragement for players on both sides of the court.
Another inspiring connection was made between the special education students and the “partner players.” These students are members of Peer-to-Peer who partner with the members of the special education program to make the team Unified. A standout partner is Brynn Norbeck. Norbeck is on the girls’ Varsity basketball team and has been a member of Peer-to-Peer for four years now. She has been a vital member and an inspiration to her teammates.
“There are so many benefits to this program, and I am truly so grateful to have been a part of something like it,” Norbeck said. “I have played basketball my entire life, and I have always loved it, but it wasn’t until I started playing unified basketball that I realized how lucky I was to be able to play it.”
The team was created to provide opportunities for the students in special education, but it has made just as big of an impact on the partner players. “[I appreciated] getting the chance to play for something bigger than myself. I think it is so important to realize that some of us were out there to make others shine, and that is an experience that was so special to have been able to be a part of. Being part of the unified basketball team was one of the best experiences of my life, and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity,” Norbeck said.
“The entirety of the experience has been so enjoyable and uplifting,” Coach Norgrove said. From the practices to the crowd erupting in applause as player Lucas Beecherl hit his first ever 3-point shot, there was never a moment where this program didn’t bring positivity, inclusivity, and connection to the Fraser High School community. While only in its first year, the Unified basketball team has already made an irreversible impact on the culture of the school and will continue to do so for years to come.
