BRICK – The thrill of victory and the challenge of a difficult game are feelings that every athlete can understand.
The Unified athletics program gets athletes with special needs out on the fields. They practice together, work with other student leaders, and compete against other schools.
Brick Memorial Principal Edward Sarluca used to be the athletic director. He said it was a few years ago that they started the Unified league with an inaugural kickball game versus Brick High School.
Unfortunately, Covid temporarily put the program on halt. As the district returned to regular activities, so did the athletes return to the field.
“It started with a couple of kids. Now we’re playing up to six games a season” against Toms River, Central Regional, and other nearby districts, he said. In addition to kickball, they play flag football and basketball, too.
The program also serves as a way for the athletes to interact with their peers in regular education. When counting the athletes and the mentors, there are upwards to 100 students involved, he said.
The students and their parents first learn about Unified in the middle school years, when they are invited to games. They get a chance to learn what the program is all about, and it becomes something to look forward to in high school, he said.
Nicole Pannucci is a special education teacher and head coach. The assistant coaches are Maria Lupo and Jessica Jablonski. The program gets the utmost support from Superintendent Thomas Farrell.
Outside of the district, the program has a friend in Christian Kane, a teacher in Toms River who started the Field of Dreams. He’s offered the location to Brick and other teams. That helps with creating partners for the group and drumming up interest in it.
“The big game is still the Brick Memorial versus Brick High School kickball game,” Sarluca said.
The next game for kickball season will be at 6 p.m. on May 20 at Brick Memorial football field vs. Middletown North and South. This is followed on May 21 against Toms River High School East. The time is going to be during the school day, to be determined. Brick Memorial faces off against Manasquan at 6 p.m. on May 26 for another home game.
Finally, the “Brick Vs. Brick Showdown” features the Brick Memorial Mustangs versus the Brick Township Dragons at 6 p.m. on June 10 at Veterans Middle School turf field.
