Finley Embraces Challenger Sports & Hopes Interest Grows

Huntington UFSD began participating in the Challenger sports program this year for the first time. J. Taylor Finley Middle School students interested in the program were led by teachers Jordan Ioviero and Mary Brandt. They competed against local middle school student-athletes in several sports.

South Huntington UFSD Supervisor of Physical Education David Barth is a big fan of the Challenger sports program and he encouraged his counterpart in Huntington UFSD to seriously consider it. Mr. Ioviero, who coaches Huntington’s Unified basketball team was familiar with the Challenger concept and he embraced the new challenge and jumped at the opportunity to bring Finley students into the program.

“Challenger sports “is an inclusive, adaptive athletic program that provides students with special needs the opportunity to play school-based sports alongside general education student "buddies” states the organization’s website. “Through our collective efforts, school-based athletic opportunities for students with special needs and their families continue to improve.”

The Challenger program has grown since last year:

• 19 Soccer Teams - up front 16 last year

• 31 Basketball Teams - up from 30 last year

• 3 Sideline Cheer Teams - up from 2 last year

• 19 Track & Field Teams - up from 17 last year

• Approximately 905 student participants are on rosters in the Challenger Sports Program this year - up from 850 last year.

• Approximately 375 Games/Contests took place in the Challenger Sports Program this year - up from 340 last year.

Berner Middle School (Massapequa UFSD) PE Chairman and Athletic Coordinator Ed Hoffmann serves as the Long Island Challenger League coordinator.

Huntington UFSD hopes interests in Challenger grows at Finley next year.