UAlbany Students, Special Olympics Athletes Share Bond Through Unified Sports
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 15, 2025) — From an early age, Magdalena Martinez saw education as a pathway to a better future. A first-generation college student from the Bronx, Martinez learned the importance of compassion and care as a child while watching her mother recovered from a debilitating stroke and her brother survive his first days of life as a preemie in the NICU. These experiences were on her mind when she first volunteered to help athletes with disabilities participate in the Unified Sports program at UAlbany.
"Growing up as a first-generation college student in a Hispanic household, I've always seen education as a pathway to a better future, not just for myself, but for my entire family," said Martinez, a junior human biology major. "My mom has overcome so much. Witnessing her strength has always motivated me to pursue the opportunities she never had."
Her desire to pursue a career in healthcare at UAlbany also comes as no surprise, given the challenges her family faced while she was growing up.
"The experiences of my mom and brother opened my eyes to the importance of compassionate, high-quality care and sparked my desire to become a nurse who can support individuals and families through their most challenging times," continued Martinez.
That same desire to help is also what led Martinez to volunteer for the unified sports program at UAlbany, a partnership between the University and Special Olympics New York.
"I got involved with Unified Sports through score keeping for intramurals and immediately felt connected to its mission of inclusivity and teamwork," said Martinez. "Being part of a program that brings students of all abilities together through sports has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college life. It’s taught me the importance of patience, empathy and genuine human connection. Every game, every high-five, every moment of joy shared on the court has left a lasting impact on me."
In March, the University hosted its annual "championship" game at Broadview Arena, which brought together members of the men's basketball team to help celebrate the athletes along with student volunteers such as Martinez. In addition, members of the UAlbany spirit band helped give the event a big-game feel as more than 150 spectators filled the stands to cheer on their family members and friends.
"The students from UAlbany who take time out of their days on a weekly basis to participate in Unified Sports mean a great deal to the program, our athletes and their families," said Leigh Howard, director of the Unified Sports Program at Special Olympics New York. "I cannot tell you the number of times parents, brothers or sisters of our athletes have expressed gratitude and shared their joy in watching their family members play alongside peers who attend the university. It makes the offering more than just a sport opportunity as it is a place for these athletes to socialize and be themselves as people."
Jon Louie, the assistant director for recreational programs at UAlbany who oversees the unified sports program cites the numerous volunteers who come together every year to put on the special event as the perfect way to mark the culmination of the six-week unified sports program.
"The final game is what I refer to as our unified showcase, as it allows the athletes and partners to show off the skills they’ve been practicing all season long. This year, we had the most volunteers we’ve ever had," said Louie, who thanked the many members of the UAlbany community who helped to make the final game a truly special event for the athletes and their families.
For Martinez, the experience has helped her build upon the skills she will need to become a professional.
"Through Unified Sports, I’ve learned how to build meaningful connections, advocate for other and serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, skills that are essential in the healthcare field," said Martinez. "The experience has reinforced the belief that everyone deserves dignity, support and the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their abilities or circumstances."