Collegiate Champions
Collegiate Champions facilitates participation in Unified Champion Schools programming at colleges and universities throughout Indiana. Schools that have distinguished themselves through inclusive activities and by meeting or exceeding all four components and are recognized annually with a Unified Champion Schools banner.
Level: Colleges and Universities
Unified Sports Offered:
Flag Football
Basketball
State Office Contact
Participating Partner Colleges
Criteria for success
Inclusive Youth Leadership
All school-sponsored UCS activities should be planned, organized and administered by an “Inclusive Student Leadership Team” that strives to do things WITH students with intellectual disabilities, NOT FOR them.
Whole School Engagement
The school should participate in at least one activity designed around “Whole School Engagement” and/or a school-wide fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana that promotes and encourages awareness, respect, and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities.
School Assemblies
Hosted by comedian Craig Tornquist, our high energy school assemblies are an uplifting and fun way to energize your school while learning about Champions Together and Unified Champion Schools. Best known for his love of audience participation, Craig has delighted more than 3,000 school assembly crowds across the country and is joined by Special Olympics Indiana staff and student ambassadors in providing an overview of our program.
To host an assembly at your school, contact Craig Tornquist at
[email protected] or (574) 360-0853.
Unified Sports®
The school should organize and participate in at least one Unified Sports® activity, such as a Unified rec sports, Unified Flag Football, Unified Basketball, a Unified Fitness Club, or a Unified competition involving students and/or local Special Olympics athletes.
Collaborative Fundraising
The school should fundraise a minimum of $3,000 for Special Olympics Indiana to assist in sustaining and expanding UCS activities such as the Collegiate Champions program.
Unified Champion College Week
Unified College Championship Week, presented by ESPN, is a week-long competition where colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions complete inclusive activities as a team. These activities are built to promote inclusion, belonging, and lasting friendship.
Participating Universities: Butler University, Notre Dame University, Purdue University
Date: April 7-11, 2025
How to get involved at your school
A professor, administrator or college club leader can contact Matt Jones [email protected]
Parents and students should contact a professor or administrator at the school first.
