BSU’s Unified Basketball Extravaganza Lets Athletes With Disabilities Excel

Participants of Bemidji State University’s Unified Basketball Extravaganza say it’s one of their favorite days of the year. The event was cancelled in 2025 due to bad weather, but this year the weather held off just enough for everyone to get back to the courts at the Gillett Wellness Center on the campus of BSU.

It was especially nice for athletes with disabilities (or Unified athletes) who find it difficult to “fit in” with people without disabilities.

“We are typically singled out and marked or pegged as, as unworthy of being friends with,” said Daniel Norton, a Unified athlete from Bemidji High School.

That’s why events like the Unified Basketball Extravaganza exist—to provide an inclusive space where athletes with disabilities can excel while playing alongside athletes without disabilities.

“That’s one of the main reasons I came to BSU, just because of our involvement with [Unified athletes],” said Tieryn Plasch, a women’s basketball player at Bemidji State. “I think it’s so cool to be able to give back to them. And we know them really well because they’ve played at some of halftime games. So just, they were cheering for us and now we get to cheer for them.”

For many of the Unified athletes, it’s the simple things they enjoy most.

“Hanging out with friends,” said Anika Sneide, a Unified athlete from Bemidji High School. “And mostly the BSU players.”

And while the score of the games don’t really matter in the end, the day is about more than just participation trophies.

“We get to show people who don’t have disabilities what we are truly made of, and not just singled out because we have disabilities,” said Norton.

The next step for the BSU Unified Basketball Extravaganza is to invite more students from on-campus to join in.

“Not a lot of people, depending on what high school you go to, where you come from are a part of Unified programs growing up,” said Bemidji State women’s basketball player Beth Bolte. “I think getting more knowledge on that, getting them involved now is something that can keep building for the future.”

And building bigger means more room to fit those trying to fit in.

“I think it really just shows that no matter your differences, everyone can come together and just have fun,” said Brynn Peterson, BSU Unified Club President.

BSU’s Unified Club has also previously held softball and bocce ball events.