One of the Rochester area's most endearing sports continues to bring crowds and support to its games and athletes. The support was on full display Thursday night at Churchville Chili High School during a basketball game against Holley.

"I have been involved in athletics for the past 35 years of my life in my teaching career and this, by far and away, is the most profound experience," said Mary Pat Dewey, youth activation coordinator, Unified Basketball Churchville Chili Senior High School.

A profound experience for not only Dewey, but for everyone involved.

"We try to do everything we can to try to change the culture and the atmosphere of our school to one of respect, dignity and inclusion for all," said Dewey.

Unified Basketball partners athletes with intellectual disabilities with athletes who don’t, for an experience that enriches the lives of all the students. It also has its own cheering squad – the Youth Activation Committee, or YAC – which works behind the scenes to rally the troops and spread the message of inclusion.

"Regardless of whatever your ability is or disability is, everyone has something to gain and something to give and our regular ed students find that they get more out of the program than what they give. It’s just been a life changing experience for many of them," said Dewey.

"YAC kind of helps get everyone involved," said Hannah Mance, Churchville Chili junior.

Mance has been a part of YAC since she was a freshman, prompted by her oldest brother who has autism.

"It makes me so happy because I know from a personal standpoint from where my brother was that a lot of kids kind of judge other kids with disabilities. And to see that it doesn’t matter here anymore because of what this atmosphere has become and because of what we’ve turned it into," said Mance.

Hannah is teamed with student Jenna Creighton, who says her favorite part of participating is, "the friends." 

"Unified has changed everything for me, it helped me find my career, what I want to do, how to be with people, it’s really been a huge experience for me," said Ashley Baer, Churchville Chili senior.

Baer has played a major role in coordinating events for YAC during the school year.

"The changes that I’ve seen is, people coming out of their shell, you know, you think one of these kids is so shy but really they’re the most energetic person on the team and when they make that basket, when they make a new friend, it’s a huge milestone and it really helps them in the classroom, in real world experience. It’s just amazing," said Baer.

The motto of respect, inclusion and friendship is printed on the t-shirts the team wears. The message says, “There’s no I in Team, but U and I are Unified.”

Each Sunday during May, Spectrum News will show how these Unified Champion Schools are making a difference in the lives of student athletes throughout the community.

The Special Olympics New York Unified Games are underwritten locally by Bryant & Stratton College.