Denfeld Students Bring Joy to Unified Football Game at Halftime

CLOQUET — In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Duluth Denfeld students Lee Brooks and Joseph Saice took the field at halftime during a pivotal football game on October 25, 2023. This event, held at Cloquet High School, showcased a unified football game featuring students with disabilities, providing them an opportunity to participate in the excitement of high school sports.

The anticipation was palpable among students as they arrived for physical education class that Wednesday morning. Much of the chatter revolved around the evening’s significant matchup against Cloquet, which held critical seeding implications for the upcoming Section 7AAAA tournament. Yet, the focus of Brooks and Saice was not solely on the game’s outcome. “We’re in a unified class with kids who have disabilities,” Saice explained. “They’ve been looking forward to playing a game at halftime since the beginning of the year. We want them to feel welcome and like they are a part of something, too.”

As the clock wound down in the regular season finale, Denfeld emerged victorious with a score of 25-7. Following the main event, Brooks and Saice sprinted to the opposing end zone to set up for the halftime matchup. The duo, who serve as leaders within their team, donned flags around their waists, ready to facilitate an unforgettable experience for their peers with disabilities.

The atmosphere was electric as the crowd cheered for every play made by both unified teams. “To be part of their big night, that big milestone, it feels great,” Brooks said. “To see them in front of a big crowd having fun under the lights, that was special.”

Brooks shared how his personal experiences have shaped his perspective on inclusivity. Following the loss of a family member, he welcomed two relatives with disabilities into his home. “Ever since they started living with us, it has opened my eyes to people with disabilities,” he noted.

The event was organized by Mike Doyle, an adaptive physical education teacher at Cloquet. He reached out to Denfeld to arrange the halftime showcase, highlighting the importance of such opportunities for students who often lack access to traditional sports. “It means a lot because a lot of these kids don’t get sports opportunities,” Doyle said. “We’re trying to get these kids as many opportunities as we can in as many sports as possible.”

Despite the significance of the main game for Denfeld, Brooks and Saice dedicated their time to ensure the success of the unified match. As frequent helpers in their adaptive gym class, they have formed meaningful connections with the students who participated. “There were people lined up to watch them play, so it feels great to be able to help those kids have fun and experience what we get to do every week,” Saice stated.

Denfeld’s football team is heading into the playoffs with renewed momentum, having emerged healthy for the end of the season. Head coach Erik Lofald expressed optimism about the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Cloquet’s coach, Mike Klyve, acknowledged the defeat but celebrated the success of the unified event. “The unified program here in Cloquet is really strong, and it’s something the whole district is really proud of,” he said. “It was a really big deal tonight, and it was great.”

Lofald reflected on the significance of the unified game, emphasizing the positive impact it has on both participants and the community. “For leaders in the school to do that, it says a lot about the character of our guys,” he remarked. “I think sometimes Denfeld gets a little bit of a bad rap, but that right there, that’s what Denfeld kids are all about.”