East Noble's Collin Double named Indiana Special Olympics Athlete of the Year

For many varsity football players, you never know when their number will be called. Such is the case for East Noble’s Collin Double.

Collin, a senior special needs student, has spent the better part of the last 3 seasons improving his tackling, getting stronger in the weight room, listening to coaches and becoming the best Knights football player he can be.

“This team is pretty good to be around," Collin, an offensive lineman, says. “Everyone likes to see me come out during the week and have fun with them.”

Collin predominately plays in junior varsity games, but has seen the field in some varsity contests on Friday nights. No matter the game, teammates say you will see him give his all.

The fun Collin and his teammates have had this season is a by-product of East Noble’s success.

The Knights enter the regular season finale at 7-1, already have clinched the Northeast 8 Conference championship and rank No. 14 in the 4A coaches poll. They are also guaranteed a winning season for the 16th straight season.

“It’s about how you do in practice and the game. You have to make sure you do everything you want to do correctly,” Collin adds.

In addition to football, you can find Collin in throwing shot put for East Noble’s Unified Track & Field team, one of four growing East Noble athletic programs for special needs students launched through apartnership between the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Special Olympics of Indiana.

“Unified sports have changed East Noble culture,” unified sports coach Ryan Pepple says. “The entire athletic department has included our athletes with special needs and now others within East Noble would like to include them.”

Collin is one of about 100 unified athletes who competed for East Noble during the last school year. This fall, Collin is the only unified sports athlete playing a mainstream sport at East Noble; but school officials say one unified athlete will be on each of East Noble’s mainstream sports this winter. A unified marching band, unified choir and unified physical education classes are expected in the future at East Noble.