Matt Frohm is a sports fanatic.
On any given day, you can see him decked out in gear from his favorite teams.
But Frohm doesn’t just watch sports. He’s competed in multiple offerings from Special Olympics Nebraska. Some stuck, like swimming and bocce. Others didn’t, like softball and weightlifting.
Now he’s trying his hand at cornhole, a relatively new offering from the organization.
Frohm is one of 28 participating in the sport through the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s unified team. It’s the first year MMI has participated in cornhole. In past years, the institute has participated in bocce ball through Special Olympics Nebraska.
“The Special Olympics Unified Cornhole league at MMI is more than just a game — it’s a celebration of inclusion, teamwork and community spirit,” said Melonie Welsh, associate dean of community engagement. “We are deeply grateful to the staff, family members and friends whose dedication and support made this league possible. Thanks to their efforts, athletes of all abilities have a space where joy, connection and belonging can truly thrive.”
The thud of bean bags hitting cornhole boards echoed across the MMI gym during a recent practice session. Team members let out whoops, cheers and words of encouragement.
“It really is wonderful to see all the excitement on the faces of the athletes and partners,” said Mike Mulligan, who is coaching MMI’s cornhole teams.
Frohm was excited to try his hand at the sport, said his mother Judy Frohm.
“He’s enjoying it,” she said. “I’ve been known to just sign him up, but he’s enjoyed all of the competitions.”
Cornhole has been fun, but there’s been a learning curve, Matt Frohm said. This is his first time playing the game, which has participants lobbing bean bags at a slanted board with a hole in the center.
It’s fun trying his hand at something new, he said. And it didn’t take long for his competitive nature to kick in.
Frohm launched colorful bean bags across the gym. Down the row of boards, Lakota Fielder tossed bean bags, too.
This is his first time competing with Special Olympics. While Lakota likes participating in sports, it can be tough to find inclusive options, said his mother Mandy Fielder.
“His confidence is built up,” she said. “I like to see him engaged and with his peers in an activity he enjoys.”