The Hamilton School District is proud to announce the launch of Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Sports League’s first winter bowling season. The league was created to ensure high school students with disabilities have access to the same high-quality, competitive athletic opportunities as their peers.
“This league is about more than athletics. It is about opportunity, inclusion and community,” explains Hamilton Athletics and Activities Director Jeff Newcomer. “We have been absolutely blown away by the tremendous amount of community support our athletes have received. We cannot begin to express how much it means to our entire school community.”
The Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Sports League is a partnership between the Hamilton School District and the Oak Creek-Franklin School District, with a shared goal of expanding participation and welcoming additional school districts in the future. The league was launched at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Bowling is one of three seasonal offerings in the league, which also includes indoor soccer in the fall and indoor baseball in the spring.
“What I love about bowling is that we are not only giving our athletes a chance to be part of their school sports team and compete, but we are also teaching them a life-long sport that they can enjoy with friends and family well after high school,” shares Jenny Schultz whose son Connor is a Hamilton High School freshman and member of the ASL Bowling Team.
With the winter bowling season now underway, student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete as representatives of their school while building confidence, teamwork and friendships. Sussex Bowl has generously donated lanes for the ASL athletes to use for bi-weekly bowling practices and upcoming home matches.
“I like seeing my friends and feel happy when I get a spare or a strike,” shares Connor Schultz.
Melissa Kappeler and Richard Dodd are serving as coaches for the inaugural ASL Bowling Team. “The kids are great. They are so excited to be at practice,” explains Kappeler. “The number of high fives and hugs that we get is amazing!”
Practice began the week of January 12. The athletes will compete in four bowling matches during the month of February. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend.
ASL Bowling Team Matches
- February 4, 4 p.m. at Sussex Bowl
- February 12, 4 p.m. at Classic Lanes Oak Creek
- February 19, 4 p.m. at Sussex Bowl
- February 26, 4 p.m. at Classic Lanes Oak Creek
“We encourage everybody to come out on February 4th at four o’clock,” says Kappeler. “We would love to see as much of the community as we can!”
Assistant Superintendent of Special Services John Peterson says there are thirteen athletes on the ASL Bowling Team, more than doubling the amount of students who participated in the ASL indoor soccer league in fall.
“I want our students with disabilities to experience the same benefits that come from participating in high school athletics,” Peterson said. “Our goal is to provide students with disabilities the same benefits of competitive sports that many students experience in traditional programs,” Peterson said. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Oak Creek-Franklin School District and hope to welcome additional districts to the league.”