Penn Hills High School Launches Unified Bocce Team

Penn Hills High School is proud to announce the launch of its Unified Bocce Team, an inclusive athletic program that brings together students of all abilities to compete and build meaningful relationships.

The Unified Bocce Team is an extension of the Special Olympics Unified Sports program. Last spring, Athletic Director Stephanie Strauss launched Unified Sports at Penn Hills High School with the introduction of the Unified Track Team. Building on that success, Unified Bocce was introduced to expand inclusive athletic opportunities for students.

At the heart of Unified Bocce is the opportunity for students to compete together. “It means a lot to the students. They love competing together, and they form bonds and friendships,” coaches Teresa Gerken and Despina Insogna said. That sense of connection has led to noticeable growth among participants. “The kids have soared in confidence, leadership, and belonging. They work together and continually support one another during practices and matches.”

Interest in the program exceeded expectations when the team was first announced. Although many students were initially unfamiliar with Bocce, there was still a lot of interest and excitement to learn and be part of the team. Interest was so high, that enough students signed up to form two full teams, each consisting of four athletes and four unified partners.

Beyond competition, the program emphasizes valuable life skills. “With the way the game is played, students develop fine motor skills and strategy,” the coaches explained. But the impact goes even further. “We hope students take away teamwork, camaraderie, leadership, and confidence in their abilities.”

The school community has responded with overwhelming enthusiasm and support. Many students regularly attend matches to cheer on the players, creating an exciting and encouraging atmosphere. “When we've had practice, our Winter sports athletes have stopped, shown genuine interest and asked how the game is played, and they have encouraged our team members to play well,” shared Gerken and Insogna. This support has strengthened school spirit and reinforced a culture of inclusion throughout the building.

For coaches Gerken and Insogna, the most rewarding aspect of the program is watching students thrive. “We love seeing the kids’ joy while playing, and how well they get along and encourage each other.” For those attending a match for the first time, the hope is equally meaningful: “We want people to gain a sense of understanding what the game of Bocce is and seeing the joy the kids have playing it. Even though people are different or have physical or intellectual challenges, they are just as capable of playing sports as your million-dollar athletes.”

Penn Hills High School looks forward to continuing to grow its Unified Bocce program and celebrating the team throughout the season. This initiative reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and proud to belong.