More than 50 years ago, Jim Christy was looking for an opportunity to participate in high school sports. His differing abilities prevented him from participating in regular sporting events. Christy approached his gym teacher Ed Prohofski about different opportunities to participate in athletics.
In 1974, after Prohofsky reached out to some other groups in the Twin Cities area, they formed four adaptive hockey teams made up of only males. Many attempts were made through the years to have the adapted sports added to the Minnesota State High School League. In 1992, soccer, floor hockey, baseball and bowling were added to the MSHSL allowing both boys and girls to participate in adaptive team sports. Today 65 schools and close to 100 students participate in the program.
The Stillwater/Mahtomedi team has been coached by special education teacher Jon McAllister since the inception of the team in 2016.
McAllister said about coaching the team to their first win of the season, “I think we will be right in the middle of the conference, same as we were last year.”
“The players to watch this season are Mason Mora-Clark, Chase McCann, Mubarak Adem, and Wesley Hoveland,” McAllister said.
With a whooping 9-0 win in their first game, the adapted floor hockey team is starting out strong. The combined Stillwater/Mahtomedi team consists of 22 players led by four team captains. This year’s captains are senior Maddie Buse, juniors Chase McCann, Mason Mora-Clark and Wesley Hoveland. The captains play a variety of positions on the team.
On the team for two years and playing defense, Buse said, “As captain I want to be a good leader and help others. We have been practicing hard and won our first game 9-0.”
Senior and six year veteran of the team Gabe King said, “We practice four days a week, Monday through Thursday for an hour a day.”
During practices the captains lead the warm-up routine. Three year veteran and goalie McCann said, “My goal as captain is to teach new stuff everyday.”
Mora-Clark has been playing for three years, “As captain, I want to be a good leader and teach everyone how to play.”
TRUST club is continuing to promote awareness for our adapted sports programs through information posted in their display case next to the lunchroom. The information includes team members, game times and opportunities to become part of the cheer squad. Check out the display case and become a super fan for our awesome adapted athletes.
Mady Richert • Feb 6, 2024 at 9:10 am
I was very intrigued by this article because of the video about Mason, and his experience with the adapted floor hockey team. It is very cool to me to see the incousion that is present at this school, and how we are able to have sports that everyone has the opportunity to play. Also, a strong use of words was used which allowed for me to really connect to the story.