Category: About

Problem quote

The Unity Games were inspired in 2003 following a series of racial incidents in various sports leagues across the country. After many years of my close associations with young athletes, I realized that more and more there is little contact between athletes of different backgrounds.

My dear friend Jacob Carey and I have spent years involved with basketball and young athletes. We both had a similar dream. The Unity Games is our attempt to try to make our communities interact in a gainful endeavor.”

Dr. Mark F. Sherman, MD, co-founder

The Right Staff

The Right Staff:
Diverse & Inspiring

The key to the success of the Unity Games is the careful selection of a diverse and committed staff. Education professionals with records of success lead workshops and activities. Rigorous training assures that every coach and staff member understands their role and the objectives of the Games.

The friendships are long-lasting

The Friendships Are Long-Lasting

A follow-up study conducted six months after the 2009 Unity Games demonstrated that not only did nearly all of the participants make a friend of a different race or culture during the games, but six in ten stayed in contact with their new friends and a third invited these new friends to come to their homes.

The Plan

Each year the Unity Games have continued to grow.  Approximately one half of current participants now travel from across the northeast to attend the Unity Games, and we plan to continue to grow locally, regionally, and nationally. 
The Unity Games are easily transferable to other parts of the country.  The organizations that have helped organize the Unity Games, the JCC, YMCA, and CYO, have community centers across the United States, and similar community organizations exist in every town and city.  These organizations can serve as bases for expansion of the Unity Games.  If you want to host a Unity Games in your city or town, or want to organize a team to send to the Unity Games, please contact us.