ORONO — Individuals with and without intellectual disabilities from across Minnesota will take the court at Orono Activities Center for the first ever State Unified Basketball tournament today.

Fairmont and 11 other high school teams will showcase the power of Unified sports and its ability to break down barriers and create authentic and lasting inclusion.

Opening Ceremonies, hosted by Eric Perkins of KARE 11 and Crunch from the Timberwolves, begins at 8:30 a.m. today, with tournament play from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Orono, Bemidji, Watertown Mayer, Shakopee, Minnetonka, Waconia, Stillwater, Nevis, Proctor, Apple Valley, and Minneapolis Roosevelt will join Fairmont in the event.

Special Olympics Minnesota’s Unified Schools program seeks to empower youth and educators to be leaders of change in creating a more inclusive world. An important component of Unified Schools is Unified Sports. Unified Sports is a sports program that unites Special Olympics athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) as teammates for training and competition.

This simple concept provides opportunities for students to gain true friendships and change school cultures towards acceptance and inclusion.