MassBay Community College has named Kelly Graska and Richie Haskell as co-head coaches of the College’s Unified Sports program, which brings together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to compete as teammates while fostering inclusion, leadership, and community. MassBay is the first Massachusetts Community College to have a Unified Sports Program.
Graska and Haskell will lead MassBay’s growing Unified Sports program as it prepares for another season of competition in the Special Olympics Yawkey Basketball League. The program provides student-athletes with opportunities to develop skills, build friendships, and experience the benefits of inclusive athletics.
Graska has worked at MassBay for more than 12 years and currently serves as coordinator of the College’s Transitional Scholars Program, which supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an inclusive college environment. A former three-sport varsity athlete, she played field hockey at Roanoke College and comes from a family with a strong coaching tradition.
“Unified Sports is about so much more than competition,” said Graska. “It is about creating a team where every athlete feels valued, supported, and truly part of something. I am excited to work with our students and help continue building a program that represents the very best of MassBay.”
Haskell has served at MassBay since 2022 and is the College’s executive administrator of student development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education and history from Franklin Pierce University and brings a lifelong passion for athletics to the role.
His connection to Unified Sports is also personal. Haskell’s youngest son has participated in numerous Special Olympics events through his local school, giving him firsthand insight into the impact inclusive athletics can have on athletes, families and communities.
“I am excited to continue growing Unified Sports at MassBay and to help our student-athletes reach their goals along the way,” said Haskell. “This program creates opportunities for students to compete, build friendships, develop confidence and be part of a team. I am proud to be part of that experience.”
MassBay Associate Dean of Athletics and Special Assistant to the President Adam Nelson said Graska and Haskell bring the right combination of professional experience, athletic backgrounds, and personal commitment to the program’s mission.
“Kelly and Richie bring exactly what we were looking for in the next leaders of our Unified Sports program,” said Nelson. “They both understand the importance of creating an environment where every student has an opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed. Their professional experience at MassBay, their backgrounds in athletics, and their personal connections to inclusive sports make them an outstanding coaching team. We are excited to see where they take the program next.”
Unified Basketball practices are scheduled to begin in early October as the team prepares for winter competition in the Special Olympics Yawkey Basketball League.
