ASL offers inclusivity, spirit of competition for athletes of all ability levels

One way Wildcat Nation encourages inclusivity is by extending athletic opportunities to students of any and all ability levels. The Adaptive Sports League (ASL) is a program that caters specifically to the unique needs of special education students. 

Marshall Morrin, an elementary school adapted physical education teacher, has been the Oshkosh program coordinator for two years. This year, he is also assuming the role of head coach at West and continues to help out at North when needed. 

“The adaptive sports league provides students with an opportunity to represent their school, family, and friends, while showcasing their athletic abilities in a school setting,” he said. “Previously they had to go to other sources, like Special Olympics.” 

West special education teacher, Stephanie Polak, is responsible for helping athletes get to practice and being an encouraging voice behind the booth at home games. She believes that offering equal opportunities for students and serving their varying needs is a non-negotiable. 

“Every student is deserving of an opportunity to compete athletically no matter what their ability is,” she said. ¨Everyone should have a chance to feel what it’s like to compete right at their school.” 

Morrin understands how even the little things (which most high school athletes take for granted) bring a special light into his athlete’s eyes. They feel grateful to experience high school athletics in the same manner as their peers. 

“The students get excited to wear jerseys, travel to different schools, and experience the other things that the other sports teams get to experience,” he said. “This offers opportunities and memories that a lot of high school students have, but our players wouldn’t have otherwise.” 

Adaptive Sports League offers soccer in the fall, floor hockey in the winter, and wiffle ball in spring. Each season is six to seven weeks long, consisting of five practices and five games. They make as many modifications as needed to best suit the athlete’s needs, allowing them to kick, hit, and score with confidence. 

“We make as many modifications as needed,” Morrin said. “This might look like taking a little air out of soccer balls so that they’re not rolling as fast, which helps students with motor coordination issues be able to kick the ball and run after it at their own pace. For floor hockey we use lighter hockey sticks and slightly bigger pucks, and for wiffle ball we use really bright colored wiffle balls so that students with obstacle impairments can see the ball a bit better.” 

Having extra hands and support is another major contributor to the team’s success. 

“We have really great assistant coaches,” Morrin said. “We have a few students who have mobility issues or are in wheelchairs, so the adult mentors help them move and get around safely. The coaches also help with verbal and visual prompting, like telling athletes, ‘look over there’ to help them stay involved in the game.” 

However, West’s ASL team also receives immense encouragement from peers and the other athletic programs. Morrin can count on an electrifying environment at every home game. 

“Our athletes get the same energy as a big football game, or volleyball game, or basketball double header where everyone’s in the crowd cheering them on, and they absolutely love it,” he said. 

Morrin recognizes that this welcoming environment has encouraged involvement while enriching the entire community. 

“It has also helped us to recruit more kids because they know they’ll be getting the support from their peers,” he said. “It’s a really awesome thing to see these kids getting supported, but also the strong and tight school community of Oshkosh West.” 

Junior Samantha Jahnke has been on the team for three years. Her favorite sport is floor hockey, and she recalls the moments and memories that she holds closest to her heart. 

“I like to hit the puck, and am proud of myself for when I make a goal,” she said. “I prefer practices over games, and am friends with all of my teammates. I love when Maddie cheers us on from the sidelines with her pom poms.” 

Seeing athletes like Jahnke succeed, celebrate, and smile is what keeps Morrin fulfilled. 

“I love getting to see the progress of all of our players and athletes from when I started until now. The kids are like sponges, so the more you put into them, the more they get to show what they know and how good they are,” he said. “When I see the successes like making goals, great passes, or a great defensive stop, I look over and see the smiles on their faces and watch their parents and the crowd cheering, and that’s my favorite thing. I love getting to see these athletes show what they can do, and how happy it makes them, makes me, and makes everyone in the crowd.”

by Jazmine Blustin

Published April 28th, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue VII