Start Date
16-6-2025 3:30 PM
End Date
16-6-2025 5:00 PM
Abstract
In the 2023-24 school year, only 30% of states in America sponsored at least one adapted high school sport and 46% of high schools offered unified sports in partnership with Special Olympics (National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), 2024). The need to provide authentic interscholastic sport opportunities for students with disabilities to address equality in athletics is clear.
Friday Night Prime Time (FNPT) is a school-sponsored program that provides students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in authentic sport experiences. This year, we expect over 180 students with disabilities to compete in the basketball season. FNPT was a first of its kind program in Hawaii that got the buy-in from school administrators who were able to see firsthand the positive impact FNPT had on their community because it provides an avenue for athletic excellence and cultivates empathy, understanding, and camaraderie among peers. On game nights, the stands are packed with students, families, teachers, and friends; the band is playing the school’s fight song; and cheerleaders are getting the crowd going. The student athletes have a platform to showcase their abilities. Nothing scripted; a true athletic experience.
FNPT is a program that engages the community. Representing one’s school fosters a student’s sense of belonging and holistic development. FNPT athletes are held to high expectations such as positive behaviors and responsibility. This presentation will showcase the impact of inclusive interscholastic athletics on students’ sense of belonging, self-esteem, parent perceptions of their child, and teacher perceptions of students.
Recommended Citation
Murata, Nathan; Tsuchida, Allison; Solomon, John; and Glodowski, Kiera, "Reducing inequality in high school sports - authentic sport participation through Friday Night Prime Time an inclusive interscholastic athletic program" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 30.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day1/30
Reducing inequality in high school sports - authentic sport participation through Friday Night Prime Time an inclusive interscholastic athletic program
In the 2023-24 school year, only 30% of states in America sponsored at least one adapted high school sport and 46% of high schools offered unified sports in partnership with Special Olympics (National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), 2024). The need to provide authentic interscholastic sport opportunities for students with disabilities to address equality in athletics is clear.
Friday Night Prime Time (FNPT) is a school-sponsored program that provides students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in authentic sport experiences. This year, we expect over 180 students with disabilities to compete in the basketball season. FNPT was a first of its kind program in Hawaii that got the buy-in from school administrators who were able to see firsthand the positive impact FNPT had on their community because it provides an avenue for athletic excellence and cultivates empathy, understanding, and camaraderie among peers. On game nights, the stands are packed with students, families, teachers, and friends; the band is playing the school’s fight song; and cheerleaders are getting the crowd going. The student athletes have a platform to showcase their abilities. Nothing scripted; a true athletic experience.
FNPT is a program that engages the community. Representing one’s school fosters a student’s sense of belonging and holistic development. FNPT athletes are held to high expectations such as positive behaviors and responsibility. This presentation will showcase the impact of inclusive interscholastic athletics on students’ sense of belonging, self-esteem, parent perceptions of their child, and teacher perceptions of students.