Mountain View High School Named Unified Champion School

School recognized for promoting inclusion and integration through unified sports programs.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Mountain View High School in Loveland, Colorado was named a National Unified Champion School by Special Olympics Colorado for achieving nearly a dozen criteria that promote inclusion and integration, including through unified sports programs where students with and without intellectual disabilities compete side-by-side.

Why it matters

The Unified Champion School designation highlights Mountain View High School's commitment to creating an inclusive environment and breaking down social barriers for students with intellectual disabilities. The school's growing unified sports programs, like basketball and track, have fostered meaningful friendships and a greater sense of belonging for all students.

The details

To earn the Unified Champion School recognition, Mountain View High School met 10 criteria across three categories - promoting inclusion in student leadership, throughout the wider school community, and through unified sports. The school's unified basketball program has grown from just 3 athletes and 2 peer buddies in 2017 to 16 athletes and 15 peer buddies today. Unified sports are core to the school's inclusive efforts, with the basketball team playing games against other schools, first responders, and even school staff during Inclusion Week.

  • Mountain View High School's unified basketball program began in 2017.
  • The school was named a National Unified Champion School in 2026.

The players

Shaun Casilla

A Mountain View High School unified basketball player.

Jordan Kraus

A Mountain View High School unified basketball player.

Jill Fitzpatrick

The assistant unified basketball coach at Mountain View High School and a PE teacher.

Leia Eshom

A senior at Mountain View High School who plays on the unified basketball team as a peer buddy.

Karrie Herring

The head coach of the Mountain View High School unified basketball team and a paraprofessional who works with many of the students with intellectual disabilities on the team.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working really hard, not necessarily for a title but to know we have sustainability in being an inclusive school. So it's really exciting for us. We've grown, and now it's part of our school community, in inclusive sports but also in classrooms and friendships.”

— Jill Fitzpatrick, Assistant Unified Basketball Coach (Loveland Reporter-Herald)

“It makes me feel better. I go home with a smile on my face when I do unified. Just like how someone would play volleyball for all four years, this is my sport. I have a good time.”

— Leia Eshom, Senior Peer Buddy (Loveland Reporter-Herald)

“When he went to get his diploma and they asked what he was going to do next, he said 'I'm coming back with Coach K to coach!' That's exactly what he did, and now Ault serves as Herring's assistant during flag football, basketball and track seasons.”

— Karrie Herring, Head Unified Basketball Coach (Loveland Reporter-Herald)

What’s next

Mountain View High School will continue to grow its unified sports programs and inclusive initiatives, with plans to host more unified basketball games against other schools, first responders, and school staff during future Inclusion Weeks.

The takeaway

Mountain View High School's designation as a National Unified Champion School demonstrates how inclusive programs like unified sports can foster meaningful friendships, break down social barriers, and create a greater sense of belonging for all students, including those with intellectual disabilities. The school's commitment to sustaining these efforts has made it a model for promoting true integration and inclusion in the local community.