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When Dan Lee took on the Director of Athletics role at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (L-S) in the summer of 2023, he brought an immediate priority to the district: launching a Unified Sports program.
“I was surprised they didn’t already have it at L-S, so it was already on my list to do,” Lee noted at the time.
Now, just a few short years after that rapid and enthusiastic launch, the L-S community has not only embraced that vision, it has set a national standard. Lincoln-Sudbury has officially been named a National Banner School by Special Olympics North America for the 2025–26 school year.
National Banner Recognition is the highest level of achievement within the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program. It honors schools that demonstrate uncompromising excellence in inclusion, advocacy, and respect. Out of thousands of programs across the country, Lincoln-Sudbury is one of just 17 schools in Massachusetts, and 288 schools nationwide, to earn the distinction this year.
In his update to the L-S community, Lee emphasized that this accomplishment reflects the relentless commitment of the athletes, partners, students, coaches, volunteers, teachers, staff, and administration.
The seeds for this national honor were planted during that very first Unified Basketball season in the fall of 2023. Lee worked closely with coaches Howie Landau and Mary Ann Grady to get the team off the ground. The student body and staff immediately rallied behind them. From the moment the team first stepped onto the home court, it was clear L-S was building something special.
“The first home game was really unbelievable,” Lee reflected after that inaugural season. “It was really one of the best unified games that I’ve been a part of. The vibe in the gym, the positive support.”
That initial spark has snowballed into a thriving, sustainable culture of inclusion. L-S has demonstrated what is possible when a school community makes unity a daily priority, earning its place as a model for other districts. Early on, Lee stressed his desire to “put in the infrastructure for future years, to make this an established program.” Earning National Banner Recognition proves that L-S has delivered on that promise, cementing Unified Sports as a permanent, celebrated pillar of its athletic identity.
Ultimately, the recognition of Lincoln-Sudbury represents much more than an award; it’s a testament to the sheer joy and community spirit the school community brings to the school every day. It’s also a testament to Lee’s leadership since joining the district, though a prior interview indicates he will credit those around him long before he takes credit for himself.
As Lee summed up the heart of the program in 2024: “It’s sports in its purest form. Playing for the enjoyment of the sport, not worried about scholarships or championships. This brings you back into why you play sports: to have fun, to compete.”