COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Hundreds of students crowded into the Brighton High School gymnasium Monday afternoon, cheering with contagious energy as the opposing basketball team scored shot after shot.
The scrimmage between the Brighton boys basketball team and the Unified Special Olympics team was held with support from Abby Cox's Show Up initiative, which aims to increase connectedness and empathy among Utahns, particularly children. Through private partnerships, Show Up is helping expand the Special Olympics program, which allows children of all abilities to participate on sports teams with their peers.
In addition to stands of roaring fans, the game included the high school's band, cheerleading squad and an announcer calling every play. There was also a halftime performance from the Salt Lake Stars, a Special Olympics dance group. Brighton High special education teacher Jared Denslow said the game happened because a student on the Special Olympics Inclusion Committee approached the principal with the idea.