On Monday, July 19th, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced their partnership with Special Olympics Colorado to create the Switchbacks FC Unified Team.
The Switchbacks FC Unified Team will be the first ever Special Olympics Unified Team in the USL Championship. The team is made up of 20 players, all over the age of sixteen, and is a blend of players with intellectual disabilities and peer partners who will assist in game play.
As the first of its kind in the USL Championship, the goal of the Switchbacks FC Unified Team is to be an example for other teams in the USL and encourage the development of other Unified Teams across the country.
Nearly 100 people arrived at Weidner Field Monday night to celebrate the official signing of the players and to unveil the new team jersey. Several players from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC showed out to give their support, as well as several members of the coaching staff, including Head Coach Brendan Burke.
The team already has two games on their schedule against the Colorado Rapids Unified Team. In the future, their hope is for other USL teams to follow the example and add their own Special Olympics Unified team to compete alongside this professional team.
Schedule:
Colorado Rapids Games:
September 15, 2021
Following: Switchbacks FC vs El Paso Locomotive FC
Weidner Field
Colorado Springs
October 23, 2021
Following: Colorado vs Portland
Dick Sporting Goods Park
Denver, CO
On Monday, July 19th, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced their partnership with Special Olympics Colorado to create the Switchbacks FC Unified Team.
The Switchbacks FC Unified Team will be the first ever Special Olympics Unified Team in the USL Championship. The team is made up of 20 players, all over the age of sixteen, and is a blend of players with intellectual disabilities and peer partners who will assist in game play.
As the first of its kind in the USL Championship, the goal of the Switchbacks FC Unified Team is to be an example for other teams in the USL and encourage the development of other Unified Teams across the country.
Nearly 100 people arrived at Weidner Field Monday night to celebrate the official signing of the players and to unveil the new team jersey. Several players from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC showed out to give their support, as well as several members of the coaching staff, including Head Coach Brendan Burke.
The team already has two games on their schedule against the Colorado Rapids Unified Team. In the future, their hope is for other USL teams to follow the example and add their own Special Olympics Unified team to compete alongside this professional team.
Schedule:
Colorado Rapids Games:
September 15, 2021
Following: Switchbacks FC vs El Paso Locomotive FC
Weidner Field
Colorado Springs
October 23, 2021
Following: Colorado vs Portland
Dick Sporting Goods Park
Denver, CO
