NFA Unified Basketball Team Sweeps Season!

The Unified Basketball Team at Newburgh Free Academy, finished their second season on May 15^th winning every game they played. An inclusive sports program that unites Special Olympic athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) as teammates for training and competition, Unified Sports is a true mark of what our interscholastic athletics is based upon, a great balance between competition and sportsmanship. 

Players included: #33 Marcus Green, #4 J’Lin Johnson, #3 Alyssa Aviles, #5 Yesenia Gutierrez-Martinez, #31 Michael Castro, #30 J’son Meredith, #14 Nyla Stone, #1 Markell Williams, #2 Giselle Cheatem, #45 Andry Ramirez, #12 Alexander Carino, #21 Dakari Gayle, #44 Gael Hernandez, #41 Justin Muriel.

A special thanks to our student coaches: Jake Cook, Caleb Simmons, and Diamond Bullard.

With tremendous unwritten values offered through this program, the athletic department is grateful for the support had from Mr. Chris Bayer, our Executive Director of Exceptional Learners and Mr. Rob Glowacki, Supervisor of Exceptional Learners, who helped to support the program approval process. We'd also like to recognize our two coaches, Ms. Sandy Baines and Ms. Michele Bender who have done a great job in getting the program off the ground and motivating our students to participate. 

A big thank you to the Varsity Cheerleaders, the NFA Hip Hop Team, and the NFA Advanced Dance Company for various performances and support throughout the season.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!