By KYLE MCMAHON
When my youngest child was diagnosed as autistic at the age of three—during the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic—it was easy to feel overwhelmed. It still can be. As a sports-loving family, we hoped he could participate in the games he was so excited about, but traditional team sports were not a good fit for him.
Then, a friend told us about a special needs baseball league. That league led to a soccer program, which led to hockey and more. Each step expanded not only my son’s horizons, but also our family’s sense of community. Here are some of the incredible local programs in the Triangle that foster inclusion, joy and connection for athletes with special needs.
Miracle League of the Triangle
Since its inaugural game in 2006, the Miracle League has grown to include over 600 players across 42 teams at fields in Cary and Durham. Each team has five or six coaches, and the league’s Buddy program pairs players with volunteers, offering one-on-one support. This support can look different depending on the age level: In my son’s elementary school–age group, it’s “controlled chaos,” while in the adult leagues, it’s more about peer-age companionship.
A game is two innings, meaning two chances for each player at bat and in the field. Each player is introduced as they come up to bat—accompanied by their chosen walk-up music—and gets to round the bases. At the end of the game, the score is always tied. After all, it’s not about winning or losing; it’s about having fun, making friends and being themselves.
“Parents love seeing a place where their kids are accepted,” says Cyndy Vagle, director of baseball operations. “They don’t have to advocate or fight for them. They are celebrated right from the start. You don’t have to apologize for who your child is at Miracle League.”
North Carolina FC Youth TOPSoccer
TOPSoccer began about eight years ago, when an NCFC staff member sought a program for his brother with Down syndrome. They began playing at WRAL Soccer Park. Liane Barber, chief financial officer at NCFC Youth, brought her four-year-old, but the late time slot wasn’t ideal, so she helped add earlier sessions and an additional field in Cary.
The morning sessions are typically for younger players, so they loosely work on skills and play fun games. “It’s all about just loving the ball, getting them out there, having fun and being part of a team,” says Barber. The night sessions add the chance for the more skilled players to scrimmage. Each player is paired with a buddy, providing both skill-building and emotional support, and the coaches have extensive soccer experience and a history of working with players who have special needs.
For families, the program provides a rare opportunity to step back and simply enjoy watching their child play. “It may look different,” says Barber, “but it’s for these kids to be able to feel like they are on a team and participate like their peers.”
Journey League Basketball
Journey League began when Michael Schoor, whose stepdaughter has special needs, returned to the Triangle and couldn’t find the same inclusive basketball programs they’d enjoyed in California. He approached Cal Maxwell, a student athlete whom Schoor had previously coached, and they debuted the league in 2016 with just 20 athletes.
Now with seven locations and over 500 athletes, the program is designed to be high-energy with a focus on drills, full-speed practices and building independence. With the help of a small group of volunteer coaches, players are encouraged to grow their skills while enjoying the camaraderie of the game.
The program also builds a strong community, seeking ways to inform people about life with special needs. They play at halftime in approximately 10 college games per season. Schoor says, “The community and togetherness fostered by athlete leaders shows a level of empathy that is amazing and encouraging. It’s the most positive peer pressure you’ll ever see. When we play at Duke or State or Carolina, we are showcasing their hard work for a new audience—people who may have thought they couldn’t. That’s where the advances are made.”
Triangle Special Hockey Association
Jack Cotterell started the Triangle Special Hockey Association in 2007 for his autistic son. Starting with only seven participants, it has grown just as quickly as the area’s interest in hockey. Since ice time is in high demand, the organization also offers ball hockey (no ice involved). They accommodate players at all skill levels. Advanced skaters practice real hockey drills and scrimmage, while new players learn to skate safely, all with a mentor at their side.
The program creates a fun, social environment for kids while fostering acceptance and understanding among the broader community. “Parents find support here, and volunteers grow empathy and understanding,” says league director Barb Baranski. Youth hockey teams frequently volunteer, helping their young players understand that hockey—and life—isn’t just about competition.
“When people come out to help as volunteers or mentors, it grows awareness and understanding, more empathy,” says Baranski. “To see these kids grow—see the little victories—brings joy.”
A Win for Everyone
These programs offer far more than sports. They provide safe, joyful spaces for athletes with special needs, moments of rest and community for families, and opportunities for the wider community to embrace empathy and gain awareness about people who differ from them. Become a part of the special needs “found family” by visiting one of the program’s websites to participate or volunteer. As the Miracle League likes to remind us at the end of every game: “And the winner is … everybody!”
