Browns supply jerseys to Indian Creek Unified sports teams

The NFL team is a sponsor of unified sports in Ohio and supplied jerseys for the newly formed organization’s athletes. ICHS Intervention Specialist Tom Mort is spearheading the program in conjunction with Unified Champion Schools, which is part of Special Olympics Ohio, and has been cooperating with Kristi Peters, director of youth engagement for Unified Champion Schools, and Steve Forte of the Jefferson County Special Olympics and county Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Unified sports join individualized education plan (IEP) students with traditional pupils for integrated athletics and one event has been held so far with more in the works. Mort said the jerseys were a welcome surprise when the box arrived, fittingly enough, like a gift right before Christmas.

“The Cleveland Browns are a sponsor and sent us the uniforms. We probably have 20 of each jersey to wear at unified games,” Mort said. “The kids were so excited. Kristi Peters told me that the Browns sponsored the unified sports program, but I did not know what to expect.”

The jerseys are in Creek’s signature red and gold hues while the Browns logo is also included on the football uniforms, and Mort said the clothing is also available for basketball, soccer and track members. He added that the athletes intend to send thank-you cards to the professional team in appreciation of their generosity.

The basketball team will have a chance to show off their new sportswear during a game being eyed in February against the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Mort said School Resource Officer Deputy Matt Morgan was organizing the event with Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. and students from the School of Bright Promise were also expected to play.

“Matt’s been working with (ICHS) students in the gym each day,” he added. “We’re going to have about 10 kids on the team and want to collaborate with the School of Bright Promise for the game.”

The school’s flag football team got its chance to play during a Turkey Bowl matchup against Steubenville High School at the Robert Kettlewell Memorial Stadium in November and hopes are to have more games down the road.

“We’re going to have at least three basketball games and we plan on having more football games, plus we plan to have female athletes for track,” Mort said. “We also hope to have bocce ball.”

Sophomore Brayden Stewart is looking forward to his opportunity to play on the hardwood after enjoying time on the football field during the Turkey Bowl with student Nicky Eddy as coach.

“I feel good,” Stewart said, noting how much he liked football, basketball, soccer and more.

Deputy Morgan said he has worked with the students every day since November, adding that they shoot baskets and practice three-on-three games. He said he was awestruck by the support the teams have gotten, especially from fellow students at ICHS.

“I looked around the stadium (during the Turkey Bowl) and saw the kids. They filled the stands, and it was amazing to see that support,” he said.

Meanwhile, more details about the basketball game will be forthcoming.