Blog
Celebrating Inclusion: Lone Peak Unified Sports Night
Feb
At Especially for Athletes, we love shining a light on the good our athletes are doing. When you see someone with their EYES UP and DOING THE WORK, or a team making a difference through service and inclusion, we want to hear about it! These moments of kindness and leadership deserve to be celebrated.
This week, we’re excited to spotlight a truly special event: Lone Peak High School’s Unified Sports Night.
A Night to Remember
On February 6 2025, the Lone Peak High School Boys & Girls Varsity Basketball teams teamed up with the Lone Peak Unified Sports team for an unforgettable evening of inclusion, service, and celebration. For the third year in a row, the gym was packed with hundreds of fans, all there to cheer on these incredible athletes in a scrimmage that felt like a championship event.
From the player introductions and national anthem performance to the live scoreboard, cheerleaders, timeout music, and halftime entertainment—every detail was perfectly planned to make the night unforgettable. As each basket was made, the energy in the gym kept building. The celebrations were bigger, louder, and full of pure joy—think griddies, tunnel celebrations, and nonstop high-fives.
The night reached a special moment when the Unified Athletes signed their own player cards, complete with action shots and stats, to give to the fans. The smiles on their faces said it all. It was truly a night no one will forget.
Looking to the Future
Landon Taylor, Especially for Athletes Board Member, expressed his excitement for what’s to come:
“We are already looking forward to next year’s event! The vision? Expanding it to include more teams in the region—and maybe one day, filling the Marriott Center to celebrate these amazing athletes. Can you imagine that?”
Special Guests & Supporters
This year’s event was honored by the presence of First Lady Abby Cox, whose ShowUP initiative continues to inspire Utahns to reach out, serve, and lift others. We are grateful for her support of these athletes and their mission to build inclusion.
Landon Taylor also highlighted the importance of key partnerships that made the event possible:
“The event was made possible through the incredible efforts of E4A and Special Olympics Utah, who played a major role in starting the Annual Unified Sports Night three years ago. Their commitment to fostering inclusion and sportsmanship continues to make a lasting impact.”
Athletes Reflect on the Experience
The impact of Unified Sports Nights is truly felt by both athletes with adaptive needs and their varsity teammates. While these athletes feel valued and celebrated, it’s just as powerful to hear what the varsity athletes take away from the experience. Here are a few reflections from Lone Peak players:
“It was really cool to see the Unified Athletes so happy. I will remember that night for a long time!” – Drew Toolson
“I work with these Unified Athletes in school as well, and working with them is such a pleasure. It helps me forget about myself and focus on others. It humbles me to see the happiness and joy they express.” – Ty Cogswell
“I loved seeing the Unified players so happy, and I just loved that I could be a part of it all!” – Austin Simon
“I loved playing with the Unified Athletes and seeing how much fun they have while playing basketball.” – Trey Amberry
“It always feels good to serve, and that was a night where we could do just that. I loved seeing the smiles on the players’ faces and hearing the fans cheering them on!” – Jackson Taylor
Keep the Momentum Going!
This is what sports are all about—not just competition, but unity, service, and making an impact. A huge thank you to everyone who made this night possible, from the athletes to the coaches, volunteers, and fans. You all helped create something extraordinary.
Let’s keep finding ways to serve, include, and make a difference—together.