Unified Bocce Ball Tournament brings students together

Unified Bocce Tournament (November 20, 2025)

PROCTOR, Minn. — Local High Schools and Special Olympics Minnesota teamed up to hold a Unified Bocce Tournament.

Rather than separating students based in intellectual ability, the Unified sports initiative teams up the students to foster friendships and support the students’ social skills.

“It makes a big difference these kids being getting the chance to be together every day and learn from each other and grow from each other in a physical education environment and do games and physical education class and play sports together. It just we’re trying to give these kids as many opportunities as they can to be together.” said Mike Doyle, Adaptive PE Teacher for Cloquet.

Students participate in a unified PE class and each month an invitational for local schools.

This month, 80 teams from 7 area high schools gathered for Bocce Ball.

“We learned it in class, and then just seeing him out on the courts do amazing and just having fun, it’s been incredible.” said Chloe, a student at Proctor High School.

Cloquet hosts the tournaments, having been a Special Olympics Minnesota Unified Champion School since 2019.

The bocce ball tournament started three years ago, featuring just Cloquet and Proctor.

Over the years, Denfeld, Duluth East, Grand Rapids and Rock Ridge joined in.

Students not only bonded with their teammates, but also their opponents.

“I made some friends. I met before in Cloquet.” said Noah, another Proctor student and teammate of Chloe.

“It’s been really good to see some of these relationships built. Some of these kids have been in the unified PE class for the last four, maybe five years, if you’re a senior, and to watch their relationships grow over the years gone on has been pretty special.” said Doyle.

Supporting students through initiatives like Unified sports helps them broaden their skills and grow their social circle.