Unified Sports is more than just a game—it’s a chance to connect, understand each other, and build friendships that last far beyond the court. For athlete Will, and Unified Partners Rohan and Remy, this is exactly what happened. At Wachusett Regional High School in Holden MA, they joined their school’s Unified Basketball team, forming bonds that not only made their team stronger but also impacted their lives in ways they never expected.

Remy in particular was a key part of the program’s growth at Wachusett. Early in his high school years, Remy took on a leadership role, serving on the board of advisors and working hard to ensure the Unified program thrived. But it wasn’t until recently that he learned something surprising: Will, a new teammate, had actually been on Remy’s youth soccer team years ago. Their paths had crossed long before they reunited on the basketball court.

Rohan, a senior and friend of Remy, was new to Unified Sports this year, but his bond with Will formed almost immediately. They quickly discovered a shared love of basketball. Rohan remembers, “Will kind of stood out to me because he came up to me the first practice and said, ‘watch this,’ and hit a three-pointer. I was like, there’s absolutely no way he drained it!” It was moments like this that laid the foundation for their deeper friendship.

One day early in the season, Rohan walked into practice and saw Will wearing full Celtics gear, clearly showing his excitement for the sport and his love for the team. That’s when Rohan learned that Will had never been to a Celtics game before. Realizing how special it would be to take Will to his very first game, Rohan knew it was a chance to create a memory that would last a lifetime.

Determined to give Will an unforgettable experience, Rohan and Remy set out to make it happen. Rohan remembered that one of his teachers, Ms. O, who also coached Unified sports at Wachusett, had a connection to the Celtics.

“I went up to her and I was like, is there any chance you could get us tickets?” he asked.  

The planning took some time, but after a month and a half of phone calls, emails, and coordinating with Will’s mom and Ms. O, Rohan and Remy finally secured three seats for the game. The excitement was building, and it was now time to surprise Will with the news on the last school day before Christmas break.

While Will expected just another normal day of school, he was in for the surprise of a lifetime when Remy and Rohan walked in, both wearing Celtics gear. In front of his classmates and teachers, Will learned he would be going to see the Celtics play the Pelicans at TD Garden. His reaction was priceless—his smile lit up the room as he thanked them and gave them a hug.

Game day was everything they’d hoped for. With great seats in the stands, they watched the Celtics battle it out in a close game, keeping them on the edge of their seats. Between the cheering fans, buckets of chicken tenders, and meeting Lucky the Leprechaun, it was an unforgettable experience.

“Now I see Will in the hallways, and I see other athletes I’ve talked to, and it’s fun,” said Rohan. “I wouldn’t have had that experience if Unified basketball didn’t exist.”

Remy added, “At our school, the special education students and general education students are often in different areas, so it’s hard to connect. But through Unified, it brings everyone together, and it’s a great way to bond.”

For Will’s mom, Alison, Unified Sports has been a life-changing experience, sharing how much she appreciates the authenticity of the competition. “The parents love Unified Sports because we see the friendships. What I also love is that they don’t let the kids win—they make Will actually play the game, not just pretend to shoot. It’s a real challenge for him.”

Rohan encourages other students to get involved, saying, “It’s important to know it’s never too late. You can join at any time and still make meaningful, lasting connections.”

From being in separate worlds in the school hallways to becoming teammates on and beyond the court, Will, Remy, and Rohan’s journey shows how Unified Sports brings people together in unexpected ways. What started with trying something new—whether it was playing on the Unified Basketball team, forming new friendships, or sharing the excitement of a Celtics game—became a bond that none of them anticipated. These experiences turned strangers into lifelong friends, and through it all, they learned that the true power of Unified Sports lies in the connections that last long after the game is over.

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