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THE IMAGE of you striding into the office and oozing confidence at each step of the way can’t be manifested without the right pair of shoes, and no style says “I am the business!” more convincingly than business casual.

Cole Haan’s Chief Creative Officer, Scott Patt describes business casual shoes as “footwear dressy enough for client meetings, to just a light day in the office.” I.e., they’re not your dad’s painful tuxedo shoes; business casual shoes actually bring laid-back coolness to your professional game while keeping your tootsies blister-free. “Oxfords and derbies are tried and true options—and you can never go wrong with a plain toe, wing tip, or cap toe. Loafers have also become increasingly popular as dress casual options … for a dressier look,” adds Patt.

Read more: How Men’s Health Tests Products

If you can’t wait to leave those uninspiring days of stiff dress shoes behind, our editors have interviewed footwear experts as well as tried and tested ourselves to bring you the 10 best business casual shoes for men that are truly business in the front, party in the back. From slip-on shoes to dress sneakers, our tested and expert-reviewed business casual shoes might even make you want to break into an impromptu dance when no one’s looking.

Best Travel Shoes | Best Driving Shoes | Best Leather Sneakers | Best Dress Shoes for Men

ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxford

I’ve been wearing these classic, best-selling Cole Hahn dress sneakers since 2021, to the office or any office-adjacent events—happy hour, client meetings, etc. I love that they’ve got the uppers of dress shoes but the footed of sneakers—it’s the best of both worlds, really. And on more than a few occasions I had to wear these for hours on end, ad their added comfort from the EVA midsole and patented cushioning has never failed me once. And they look incredibly on-point with jeans for a truly business casual vibe.

What Do Experts Say? “They are the perfect blend of a dress shoe silhouette and the comfort of a sneaker. It’s one of my favorite pairs of business casual shoes that can take you from a client meeting, to out on the town, and lounging around,” says lifestyle influencer Steven Fingar.

Unisex Cloud CVO Deck Sneaker

Here, we have something preppier, more summertime-appropriate, and definitely affordable without being cheap you out. And these have a reputation to uphold: they’re the first non-slip boat shoes ever made, with a grooved rubber outsole that provides high level of traction on slimy surfaces.

While the style of these shoes have endured to this day and look the part for business casual, I was initially skeptical and thought they only looked great with polo shirts in summer, but soon as I got them on sale in the fall of 2021 and donned them with a black blazer and a tie, I stood corrected: the preppy aesthetic naturally complemented a business casual style, and they looked stellar below a pair of chinos.

Comfort-wise, in addition to the traction, the lightweight upper is also breathable, which is why my feet have always been able to stay cool and dry in these, and never clammy.

What Do Experts Say? “In the summer, I favor boat shoes, in particular Sperry Top-Siders. My favorite is the Cloud CVO deck sneakers (navy, white, or birch). The style looks sharp with polo shirts, madras shorts, and Nantucket Reds from Murray’s Toggery Shop,” says Matthew Longcore, Founder of Preppy Handbook Fan Club.

Larson Weejuns Loafer

Our Gear & Commerce Editor has had these OG penny loafers since 2020 and can now firmly stand behind them as the perfect shoe for dressing up even the most casual attire. He started with an all-brown pair but has recently added an all-black for more versatility in his loafer lineup simply because of how dressy, elegant, yet versatile they are. When it comes to business casual, we also love that these fit within the trend of wearing jeans with loafers, but also are foolproof when it comes to chinos and dress pants.

The downside, according to our editor, is that the Larson has an incredibly tough break-in period, so be sure to keep your socks on when wearing them until they are soft enough around the ankle and top of the foot, otherwise, you are in for some serious chafing.

What Do Experts Say? “For a touch of elegance, you can’t go wrong with a timeless penny loafer. Penny loafers are the perfect mid-point between casual sneakers and formal Oxfords. The original Weejuns from G.H. Bass is my top pick. These loafers possess an innate style and comfort that is apparent right out of the box,” says personal stylist Turner Allen.

Park Avenue Oxford

Although one of the more expensive—and dressier—options on the list, our testing shows that these classic Allen Edmonds are definitely worth the splurge. The look is timeless and classic through and through, and when tested on a suit, we love that it was able to exude sophistication and refinement. Our testings editors were also equally impressed by the quality—which makes up most of the price tag: a calfskin leather that’s guaranteed to last while offering a versatile style that complements any business casual ensemble.

I would, however, limit these Oxfords to dressier occasions, such as for the office or black-tie events. Still, they do not demand a full gang of blazers, dress shirts, and dress trousers for styling.

What Do Experts Say? “These shoes provide exceptional comfort, durability, and breathability. The cap-toe design adds a touch of elegance, making them perfect for both formal and semi-formal occasions,” says fashion retail expert Jessica Kats from Soxy.

Light Brown Slip-On

In our testing, we’ve found that suede simply doesn’t miss—it’s simultaneously sophisticated yet easygoing. And Suitsupply’s suede slip-on is truly one of the most versatile shoes in the game. The brown tone can complement any fits, and the design is not busy or distracting for office dress codes. Our favorite part is working these suede slip-ons into our daily wardrobe: whether it’s t-shirts or jeans shorts, they will effortlessly elevate without looking boring.

We were also impressed by their construction which is lightweight and slip-resistant, but the downside is that the support shows itself to be lacking after standing or walking in them for too long. So I personally like to save and wear them only for special events.

What Do Experts Say? “Suitsupply offers a great variety of budget-friendly and quality shoes. For summer, I love a light brown suede loafer like this one. This style is a modern option for someone looking for a bit more stylish option. This style pairs well with lighter colors and fabrics, for the warmer summer months,” says personal wardrobe stylist Grace Thomas.

Capri

These are a pair of sneakers to the core, and there’s nothing wrong with that for business casual flair. In my several months of styling these, I find that they look the best with a casual blazer-over-jeans fit, but their versatility indeed takes them to infinity and beyond. Recently I started wearing them in warm weather with chino shorts, polo shirts, and no-show socks for hanging out in fancy restaurants and bars, and their minimalist but polished visage always delivered a smart casual vibe.

You shall also rest assured of their comfort. What I love most about them on this front is that the stitching connecting the upper to the sole is tightly done for water resistance, and the insole is made with OrthoLite® Hybrid™ to support your every step.

What Do Experts Say? “Personally, I highly recommend the Capri Low-Top sneakers by Koio. These sneakers boast an ultra-minimal and clean design that complements a wide range of outfits. Besides their versatility, what sets them apart is their affordability compared to the similar styles from brands like Common Projects,” says personal stylist Turner Allen.

Suede Driving Loafers

Driving shoes, especially in a moccasin style, naturally lean on the casual—and warm-weather-friendly—side, so these have been one of my default shoes to wear in summer to the office since 2021. I like wearing them with chino shorts and short-sleeve shirts; they’re a little different, yet appropriate for a business casual office. So, stylistically speaking, I’d ranking these as more formal than dress sneakers but much more laid-back than Oxfords, and thus perfect for days where my professional game doesn’t need to be at a 10.

I also love how soft and flexible the fabric of these loafers feels which really brings out the comfort while walking. The lightweight outsole also won’t drag you down. All in all, weekend and Fridays in summer is when I’d like to wear them the most.

What Do Experts Say? “I usually like to pair chinos with these slip-on shoes in suede to keep the look laid-back without going overly casual… The high-quality fabrication makes them feel a bit more formal without sacrificing comfort,” says content creator and influencer Joe Weir.

Original Achilles Leather Sneakers

Since Common Projects first introduced the idea of this very premium, minimalist silhouette in 2004, the world hasn’t looked back. So, naturally, I had to test out these classics. At first glance, they sure leaned towards the casual side to me, so it was a risk when I decided to wear them with chinos and dress shirts in early 2022, but the worry instantly faded on its own soon as I realized how smart I actually looked in the mirror: the minimalist look keeps them refined, but the signature gold serial number stamped on the back keeps the vibe trendy. And, since they’re a pair of sneakers through and through, the comfort after breaking them in is no joke.

What Do Experts Say? “These shoes have a sleek silhouette and have a minimal design—making them a great shoe to wear with a pair of chinos and a casual dress shirt. They’re a staple in my closet, as I can wear them casually around town, out to dinner, or even a quick client meeting at a nearby coffee shop,” says lifestyle influencer Steven Fingar.

The Original

Step into something comfortable first before you step into success, like in these casual-looking dress shoes that are nothing but supportive and style. Having owned and worn these for a few months, I can say with confidence that these are perhaps the most comfortable dress shoes I’ve ever tested—all thanks to Amberjack’s athletic build. The foam arch support and the TPU outsole are both designed to let your feet move in comfort, and the upper is made with flexible materials.

The construction makes it a pair of dress shoes that won’t tire my feet out, but the overall versatile look for dressing up and down is also a highlight. In addition to an ensemble of button-downs and chinos, I’ve worn it several times with only a fit of t-shirt and jeans, and they still looked killer.

Chukka Sneaker

Scoring these on sale a year ago turned out to be one of the best purchase decisions on Amazon I’ve ever made. Style-wise, it’s a smart blend of chukka boots plus sneakers, which I’ve styled with a trucker jacket plus jeans or sweater over pants, and I’m never not satisfied by how it can transition from formal to casual and back and forth, just like that.

But the comfort for walking and being on your feet for hours on end is not to be underestimated, even at this price point: the outsole is light but tough, and absorbs impact to reduce underfoot fatigue; the leather upper is easily broken in; and the sponge insole is as comfortable as it comes.

Lastly, while you might think that because they’re cheap, they’ll wear out easily. Well, that’s a flat-out lie: I’ve even sported these several times during rainy days or on rough terrains, and thus far, there has been no wear, no tear, no stitching coming loose, or any sort of damage.

What Are Business Casual Shoes?

“While it really depends on the level of formality at your particular workplace – especially after a massive return-to-office paired with a hybrid work-from-home schedule, there is a fairly wide variety of definitions of business casual when it comes to shoes,” says Luke Grant, the Head of Marketing at Charles Tyrwhitt. And since our office dress code—or business casual dress code—is more blurred and “up to your own discretion” than ever, the definition of business casual shoes is thankfully broadened.

According to Norm Gress, Senior Design Director for Wolverine, business casual shoes can now go beyond the traditional Oxford, chukka, and Chelsea uppers. “Casuals allow for a blend of rugged, comfort, and refined styling. Styles can be more expressive, often transition from work to evening activities, and work well with denim and more casual clothing.”

What Men’s Shoes Are Considered Business Casual?

Our experts believe that business casual shoes should be defined by the looks of the shoes, not the styles—i.e., even sneakers can work if they are dressy enough. “I’d say business casual shoes can mean anything between a sneaker and a hard-soled dress shoe, which includes some of my favorite shoes, like moccasins, penny loafers, bluchers, desert boots, driving mocs, and deck shoes,” says Michael Sebastian, the Creative Director at Brooks Brothers.

John Peters, the CEO of footwear brand Amberjack echoes and zooms in on the sentiment of “anything works” by suggesting shoes that can work well with slacks, khakis, or suit pants as the best business casual shoes—so please, nothing too funky! “That usually means brown or black lace-up dress shoes, boots, or loafers with a leather or suede upper… nice leather sneakers can definitely work for a more smart casual look,” says Peters.

All in all, the look is all that matters. For dress shoes, Oxfords, brogues, derbies, loafers, or even monk strap shoes—so long they look the part, they’ll work. For dress boots, chukka boots and Chelsea boots are both no-brainers for business casual shoes

What to Look for in Business Casual Shoes?

Material: “Opt for animal leather versus vegan options when shopping for business casual shoes as they will wear better over time,” says personal wardrobe stylist Grace Thomas. Turner Allen, another personal stylist also agrees that leather shoes will always look far more sophisticated than anything else. Suede, however, is also popular for a more casual look.

Construction: When it comes to outsoles, Cole Haan’s Chief Creative Officer, Scott Patt believes it all comes down to personal preference. “Hybrid soles inspired by sneakers, taller heights, and lower heights, as well as options with a classic heel, rolled heel, or wedge sole are all appropriate,” he says. While Patt does recommend leather uppers as the safest bet for elevating a look, for warmer days, he believes fabric uppers could be a more breathable alternative.

Comfort: “If you’re on your feet all day, try to avoid shoes with leather stacked heels as they provide little cushioning,” says John Peters. So it’s important to look for a good insole with arch support and a supportive rubber or EVA outsole.

Color: “If your workplace is more formal, choose black. If your workplace is more casual, choose brown or brown suede,” says personal stylist Patrick Kenger. Thomas also says that black or brown is a versatile shade that will pair with most business casual outfits.

How We Selected

To curate the best business casual shoes for men, our editors and writers have personally tried on and tested a variety of styles, such as attending casual weekend hang-outs in Cole Haan’s dress sneakers to the office, sporting Allen Edmonds’ oxfords to a formal event, or commuting in and wearing Amberjack’s dress shoes to the office.

Then, our testing editors narrowed the selection by evaluating these tried-on business casual shoes based on their style, comfort, price point, performance, and versatility. We also considered tested recommendations of business casual shoes from style experts such as stylists and fashion influencers.

In addition, our selection focuses not on trendy or trend-chasing shoes; instead, our picks of the best business casual shoes for men all fit great athletic guys, provide great value and performance at reasonable price points, and come in styles that will look great years from now.

Read more: Learn How Men’s Health Tests Products

Why Trust Us?

At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.

In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers, etc.—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.

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Introduction
The authors hope this Bill could be introduced in your state to help students with disabilities gain equal access to and equality for sports equivalent to what is offered to nondisabled students.  The article will present Texas Senate Bill 776, highlighting notable sections, language suggestions, the need for state disability sports laws, arguments presented for this Bill, proposed advocacy, and recommendations for implementation. Texas, for example, has organized interscholastic men’s sports for over 100 years and women’s for 50 years (Title IX. 1972), it’s time students with disabilities have the same equality and equity opportunities (i.e., funding, coaches, full seasons, competitions, uniforms, etc.).  SB776 mandates Texas interscholastic sports and school districts to “own/run/manage” all aspects of disability sports and does not allow the “pawn off” responsibility to nonprofit volunteer organizations. Implementation is the sole responsibility of the state’s interscholastic sports league. It is crucial that students with disabilities are presented with the same sports opportunity.  Pertinent stakeholders should be aware of mandated laws, such as SB776, that provide competitive sports for students with disabilities. Community engagement as well as organizational efforts are warranted interscholastic sports and school districts to fulfill their responsibility.

The Law

TX SB776 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature

AN ACT

relating to the creation of an inclusive sports program by the

University Interscholastic League to provide students with

intellectual disabilities access to team sports.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as Zariah’s Law.

SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 33.097 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.097.  INCLUSIVE SPORTS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. (a) The University Interscholastic

League shall ensure students with intellectual disabilities have an

opportunity to participate in team athletic activities by

establishing and maintaining an inclusive sports program.

(b)  The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules

as necessary to establish, maintain, and expand the inclusive

sports program. The rules must:

(1)  accommodate inclusive team sports offered through

the program at participating public middle schools, junior high

schools, and high schools in the state;

(2)  establish eligibility requirements for

participation in each inclusive team sport offered through the

program;

(3)  identify best practices for school districts to

incorporate inclusive sports; and

(4)  require the program to incorporate activities that

promote:

(A)  bullying prevention;

(B)  moral intelligence;

(C)  character development;

(D)  leadership development;

(E)  physical fitness; and

(F)  positive school culture.

(c)  In adopting the rules under Subsection (b), the

University Interscholastic League shall consider and incorporate

as appropriate:

(1)  federal guidance regarding providing access to

extracurricular athletics for students with intellectual

disabilities;

(2)  guidance available from nationally recognized

organizations that promote inclusion and acceptance among students

with and without intellectual disabilities;

(3)  information regarding inclusive sports programs

that have been successfully implemented in this state, in other

states, and by nonprofit organizations;

(4)  input from school districts and the agency; and

(5)  guidance provided by impacted stakeholders,

including by parents of or persons standing in parental relation to

students with intellectual disabilities.

(d)  The University Interscholastic League may appoint a

person to provide guidance on behalf of impacted stakeholders for

purposes of Subsection (c)(5).

(e)  In maintaining the inclusive sports program, the

University Interscholastic League shall, to the greatest extent

possible, require:

(1)  students who participate in the inclusive sports

program to be subject to the same rules and requirements as students

who participate in other athletic programs offered by the league,

including:

(A)  grade and disciplinary requirements under

Section 33.081(c); and

(B)  requirements related to student safety in

athletic activities under this chapter and Chapter 38; and

(2)  team sports provided through the inclusive sports

program to be organized similarly to other athletic programs

offered by the league, including with respect to team practices,

seasonal play, and local and statewide competitions.

(f)  In addition to using funds available or appropriated for

the purpose, the University Interscholastic League or a partner

affiliated with the league may seek and accept gifts, grants, or

donations of money from public and private sources for the purpose

of establishing or expanding the inclusive sports program.

SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on September 1, 2021.

Texas SB776 Highlights

1. University Interscholastic League will provide students with intellectual disabilities access to team sports. The bill also highlights “inclusive” sports which includes other disabilities and non-disabled participating on the same team. Students with ID will make up the majority of players during the competition. Because “inclusive” sports also include other disabilities the article will place emphasis on inclusion making references to “disabilities” in general, not specifically to ID.
2. To the greatest extent possible team sports programs are to be organized similarly to other athletic programs offered by the league, including with respect to team practices, seasonal play, and local and statewide competitions.
3. Fully funded including but not limited to, head/assistant coach stipends (Texas $4,000-5,000 per sport), equipment, uniforms, competition expense (referees, cheerleaders, band, travel, meals), and access to athletic trainers.
4. Three levels for each sport, junior high Freshman team, middle school Junior Varsity team, and high school Varsity team.
5. Varsity high-level play may be more inclusive involving students without a disability on the team. For example, during a basketball competition only 3 students with ID and 2 students without can be on the court during the game. Varsity teams would compete for district, area, regional, and state games.
6. Junior Varsity teams and Freshmen teams would be made up only of student-athletes with Disabilities (i.e., ID, Muscular Dystrophy, Orthopedic, Spinal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism, etc.). These teams would only compete at the district level.
7. Regular full-length sessions, regular weekly practices, 8-10 district competitions, and area, regional, and state games.

Presented Arguments for SB776

1. For 100 years or more for men and 50-plus years for women both have had the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of interscholastic sports offered by Texas School ISD (i.e., funding, coaches, full seasons, competitions, uniforms, etc.).
2. Texas interscholastic league offered 14 sports for men and women including Varsity, JV, and Freshman equaling 84 total sports. How can Texas school’s interscholastic league disagree and say “NO” to 4-8 sports for students with disabilities?
3. Further, each of the 84 sports is funded, has full seasons, coaches, equipment, and 12 to 20 competitions not including district, bi-district, area, regional, and state games. On the other hand, NO interscholastic sports are offered for students with disabilities.
4. School districts have no obligation to help or support outside non-profit sports organizations (e.g., Special Olympics, Challenge League, etc.). 100’s schools across Texas do not have any sports for students with disabilities. For schools that do offer Special Olympics or another nonprofit at best provides 2-4 sports with 1-3 special events, run by volunteers, and provide no funding.
5. All aspects of disability interscholastic sports should be owned and operated by School district ISDs. In 1972 Title IX women’s interscholastic sports started in school districts and the program was NOT outsourced to YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, or another nonprofit organization. The same should hold true for students with disabilities in sports. Special Olympics, Little League “Challenge” and/or other disability sports organizations are NOT a substitute for school ISD’s athletic sports programs.
6. How many coaches support the Football program and Friday night games? 8-15 coaches & referees. You would not see Friday night football run by volunteers.
7. Normal sports programs have money for uniforms, shoes, equipment, travel, and coaches. This is not offered to students with disabilities.
8. The implementation of disability sports increased exposure and opportunities for students to socialize, increasing mental health, sense of belonging, and perceived ability to succeed.
9. This law is supported by federal law(s) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and IDEA. Both state that students with disabilities should be provided with interscholastic sport and recreational sport opportunities, respectively.

Suggested Language Variations, Additions, or Changes

1. “inclusive team sports” = (a) Sports are exclusively adapted and modified for students with intellectual disabilities (b) Sports are developed and offered in accordance with the same equity as non-disabled student-athletes; (c) Sports could include other disability conditions and students without disabilities in a minority role; and (d) Sports are not limited to only team sports or other athletic programs offered by the league.
2. “students with disability” = A student who meets the definition and qualifies for special education as defined by federal law (IDEA).
3. “establishing” = School should be in compliance with the provisions no later than 3 years from the stated date.
4. “middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools” = Each sport should have a Freshman, VJ, and Varsity team.
5. Inclusive Spots Program for students with Intellectual Disabilities to Adapted Sports Program for students with Disabilities

Other Suggested Language

1. Ensure students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in separate adapted athletic sports.
2. Ensure reasonable accommodation necessary to provide students with disabilities equal opportunity to participate, to the fullest extent possible, in athletic sports.
3. Ensure that adapted athletic sports opportunities (coaches, equipment, practices, competition, funding) are available.
4. Develop policies and procedures to promote students with disabilities athletic sports opportunities.
5. Provide the opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in extracurricular interscholastic athletic competition, as demonstrated by Equivalent opportunities for participation in adapted athletics and/or by evidence indicating that the interests and abilities of students with disabilities have been fully and effectively accommodated by the school system implementing adapted sport programs.
6. State Education Board shall adopt a model policy to assist a county board with the implementation of adapted athletic sports programs.
7. State Education Board shall monitor the compliance of county boards towards the law.
8. State Education Board shall investigate and take corrective action in response to complaints from parents, guardians, or legal representatives of students with disabilities who allege a violation of the law.

Reporting:

1. Each year, each school board shall submit to the State Education Board a report of the school system’s compliance with the law.
2. Annual reports by school boards include the number of students with disabilities that participate in adapted athletic sports as well as how many adapted athletic sports are offered.
3. A description and plan by school boards to engage students with disabilities in athletics.

Regulations:

1. The State Education Board shall adopt regulations necessary to implement adapted interscholastic athletic programs.
2. The State Education Board shall provide technical assistance to school boards concerning the law.

Need for State Disability Sports Laws

1. Action to advocacy needs to be taken for students with disabilities that are not given the same opportunity as students without disabilities in the activities specific to athletics sport opportunities. There have been endless research studies showing that extracurricular programming is linked to academic achievement. Specifically, participation in interscholastic sports promotes students’ development, social ties, and the positive relationship effect of participation on achievement.

2. Federal laws such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Public Law 94-142 of 1975 (IDEA) both have been around 50 years and are interpreted to include interscholastic sports and extra-curricular activities, thus sports should be offered to students with disabilities. The late Julian Stein, Ph.D. for decades argued Section 504 entitled interscholastic sports for Students with Disabilities and interpreted the same as Title IX for woman’s sports excluding proportionality. However, nothing has ever been enforced nationally for Section 504 and only three states (Texas, Maryland, and Maine) have legislation for disability interscholastic sports.

3. The Unified Sports Program is an inclusive sports program created through the Special Olympics, joining people with and without disabilities on the same team.  However, schools are not being funded through their own sports programs resulting in volunteer coaches, no money for equipment, uniforms, transportation, and shortened seasons/practices and competitions. Special Olympics is an outside nonprofit volunteer organization and school districts do not have to offer the program. Further, if offered, it is limited in every aspect (3-week seasons, 2-4 sports a year, 1-3 competitions, severely limited to no resources, and no funding).

4. Adapted Sports Programs are similar to Unified Programs in that they allow children with disabilities to participate in sports. Adapted Sports are provided through the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) so that students with disabilities have equitable opportunities in school-based sports.  This means that the student is still able to represent the school in their uniform, being part of the team as students without disability. It is the goal of the program that high school athletes with all disabilities should be provided sports experiences that are provided to non-disabled people.  However, most schools only offer track & field events, wheelchair basketball, and/or flag football. Again, not having full access to regular athlete funds limits equality for students with disabilities to succeed in sports.

5. Accessibility of data for High School Athletic Programs that offer sports for students with disabilities and their websites as per each state are not that explicit for the programs that they offer at their schools. There is often a vague mention of sports programs for students with disabilities, but the information is not as updated as normal sports. This can be a problem within this topic because accessibility of information to participate often does not get to parents or is too hard to find, hindering the amount of participation for students with disabilities.

Advocacy

1. Local non-profits must implement grass-root efforts to increase community awareness of the need for interscholastic sports for children with Intellectual Disabilities.

2. Local non-profits can further advocate for implementation by offering adaptive sports practices year-round to act as support to local school districts.

3. Local non-profits and disability organizations should begin educating their stakeholders on the availability of interscholastic sports for students with intellectual disabilities.

4. In-services for disability advocates familiar with the law at school districts should increase understanding and implementation by parents, special education instructors, coaches, and administration.

5. Informational brochures should be mailed and passed out to local stakeholders. Pediatric clinics, Pediatric Therapy Centers, and University’s should receive a copy of the informational brochure and be made aware of the creation/passing of SB776.

6. An informational website, as well as social media platforms, should be created to create a central hub of information regarding sports for students with disabilities.

7. Community backing through pep rallies, meeting the player night, and mini-games during school time should be conducted to increase community awareness and advocacy of the implementation of SB776.

8. Advocates, as well as community leaders (varsity players), should meet and recruit prospective participants (6^th graders) to increase participation from athletes with disabilities.

Additional Advocacy Suggestions

1. Send or Handout Informational brochure/law to Local/region special education services, Administration, Rehab centers, Non-profits, (Morgan’s Wonderland, ARC, etc.), University Adapted Physical Activity & Special Education programs, Coaches in local school districts, Fundraiser/Special event, and Pediatrician clinics.
2. Use social media to expand on the law and student with disabilities sport (YouTube video)
3. Create a website to increase awareness.
4. Create a social media sport for disabilities challenge (e.g., Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS)
5. Update social media platforms with recent information
6. Promoting the law on local news.
7. Interview Coaches who have completed a successful season.
8. Create an email list of supporters.
9. Help/Partnership from high school volunteers
10. Practices involving peer classmates in varying program aspects.
11. School Assembly has games during a pep rally or homeroom [mini game]
12. Celebrity Endorsement of disability sport law
13. Invite celebrities to events to increase awareness.
14. Target 6th graders with disabilities and families on upcoming UIL Sports
15. Students with disabilities and staff competition
16. Conduct a disability sport field day event to highlight athletes.
17. LED scoreboard commercial
18. Meet-the-players night.
19. Have the current varsity disability sport team present to middle and elementary schools.
20. Fan T-shirts supporting sports for students with disabilities.

Implementation

1. Prevent loopholes allowing local districts or states to opt out of participation and implementation of disability sport legislation (e.g., SB776). To increase implementation pertinent stakeholders such as Parents/Caregivers, Adapted Physical Educators, Special Ed Educators, and local Advocate groups must request that their district’s Athletic Directors must support state law. Further, if “loopholes” are presenting themselves at the local or state level, add amendments/definitions to the existing law. The authors will be making additional amendments to SB776 in the upcoming congressional session.

2. Implementation may occur through regional and statewide audits. Funding of other UIL sports such as football should be placed on pause until real efforts to implement Sports for students with disabilities are conducted within the school district.

3. Have mandatory in-service implementation training on disability sports for coaches, coaching Staff, and athletic directors. Increasing competence and knowledge will increase the chances for students with disabilities to have sport opportunity.

4. Stakeholders such as parents, special education teachers, coaches in school districts, and disability organizations should be informed of the contents of disability sport legislation.

5. Educational Institutions with Health and Human Performance, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Special Education Programs should be informed on the contents of the law and its implications.

Conclusion
To conclude SB 776 entitles students with Intellectual Disabilities to Interscholastic Sports throughout the state of Texas. Students with Intellectual Disabilities deserve the opportunity to play at a competitive level throughout the United States. Competitive UIL sports for men has been available since 1911, for women since 1951, and for students with Intellectual Disabilities since 2021. It is imperative that implementation and nationwide acceptance of Interscholastic Sports for students with Intellectual Disabilities occurs. Students’ primary occupation is playing therefore widespread opportunity of competitive play for those with Intellectual Disabilities will ultimately increase socialization, physical health, and perceived mental health. Additional strides towards refining the definitions within Texas SB776 are warranted to strengthen implementation efforts as well as community understanding and awareness.

Selected References

About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.adaptedsports.org/about-us

Broh, B. (2002). Linking Extracurricular Programming to Academic Achievement: Who Benefits and Why? Sociology of Education, 75(1), 69-95. doi:10.2307/3090254

Children and Youth With Disabilities. (2019, May). Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgg.asp

Minnesota Association for Adapted Athletics – Minnesota State High School League – Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, USA : NCHPAD – Building Inclusive Communities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nchpad.org/Directories/Programs/8310/Minnesota~Association~for~Adapted~Athletics~-~Minnesota~State~High~School~League

O’Brien, J. C., & Kuhaneck, H. (2019). Case-Smith’s Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780323512626

Unified Sports. (2019, November 6). Retrieved from https://www.specialolympics.org/our-work/sports/unified-sports

University Interscholastic League. (n.d.). Timeline of UIL history. Timeline of UIL History – University Interscholastic League (UIL). Retrieved April 4, 2023, from https://www.uiltexas.org/history/timeline

“Jersey, welcome to the Eras Tour!” Taylor Swift yelled on Friday night. “There is one thing that I daydream about with the childlike enthusiasm of a hundred birthday parties, and that is MetLife Stadium Night 1.” That gets the mood about right. She spent this weekend at her long-awaited MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey, destroying the hearts and lungs of 83,000 of the planet’s most godforsaken messes. All three shows were chaotic jubilation, full of songs we’ve waited years to sing. And Taylor missed this more than any of us.

Taylor Swift keeps building the legend of her Eras Tour, week after week, city by city, making every night so much longer, wilder, louder, more jubilant than it has to be. There’s nothing in history to compare. This is her best tour ever, by an absurd margin. It’s a journey through her past, starring all the different Taylors she’s ever been, which means all the Taylors that you’ve ever been. Taylor always designs every tour to be the best night of your life. But she designed this one to be the best night of all your lives. Every Era you’ve ever lived through, it’s in here. She does 46 songs, plus snippets of a few more. That means this show has 22 percent of her songbook, and don’t even imagine she didn’t plan it that way.

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This weekend I spent three consecutive nights at these shows, singing and weeping and suffering and agonizing through an emotional epic Tay-pocalypse every night. But it feels brutal that it’s over so soon. Nobody wanted it to stop. Not even Taylor, who paused on Sunday night at her piano during “Champagne Problems” to rave, “If you think I’m just coasting along thinking this is normal, I can assure you this is not the case. This is extraordinary.”

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No matter how many Taylor tours you’ve seen before, there’s something extra about the joy, the craving, the ecstatic release that people bring to this one. She’s had six Number One albums since her 2018 Reputation tour, and we’ve got some serious overfeeling to catch up on. The woman behind me who responded to the intro of “All Too Well” by dropping on her knees and spending the entire 10 minutes sobbing in a fetal position, you are my goddamn hero.

The communal vibe is always intense at a Swift show, but never more than at this one. I was in the Night 1 parking lot about 10 minutes before someone I’d never met gave me a BETTY’S CARDIGAN friendship bracelet that I’m still wearing right now. I brought extra packs of pocket tissues, which came in handy when the Fearless interlude inspired a few meltdowns in my row Sunday night. When Taylor began the Evermore section into “Tis The Damn Season,” the security guy came over and said, “You the guy with the tissues?” Another couple of fans were having tear-duct emergencies, sobbing to me, “I really love this album!” ONLY at a Taylor show.

The sheer bombardment of genius songs was physically overwhelming — there was a shock that went the crowd all three nights, as she went from the Phoebe Bridgers duet “Nothing New” to the show-stopping ten-minute “All Too Well,” with people ready to be carried out on a stretcher, only to realize We’re barely halfway through. It’s two hours into the show, but she’s not close to finished with the crowd. Taylor, what are you even doing to us right now? You know you won so what’s the point in keeping score?

One of the central paradoxes of Taylor Swift — and this woman is nothing BUT paradoxes — is how she writes songs about the tiniest, most secretive agonies, the kind you wouldn’t even confess to your friends, except the only way she knows how to process these moments is turning them into louder-than-life stadium scream-alongs. It is so weird to sing “My Tears Ricochet” in a stadium with 80,000 people, with Taylor swirling in a goth-priestess gown, leading a funeral procession of black-hooded mourners. For most of us, Folklore and Evermore are albums we learned to sing along with by ourselves, at a moment of quarantine, fear, and isolation. Hearing other voices sing these songs with us completely changes how they feel. The moment when Taylor gets to the almost-hidden line “when I’m screaming at the sky”—and she really does scream it at the sky—was cathartic on a level that’s totally new for a Taylor show.

Over the show, she celebrates every part of her career, except her 2006 country debut, which surprisingly doesn’t even make a token appearance, though she’s done some of the songs as acoustic one-offs. (There’s no other career where such a great debut could turn out to be Not Era Enough.) Some of the eras turned into full-blown dance parties, like 1989, Reputation, and Midnights. Fearless was the one era where she flashed her early twangy side — she made such a statement by stepping out on the catwalk after the first verse for a triumphant power twirl. It was pandemonium when she introduced “You Belong With Me” and “Love Story” by asking, “Jersey, are you ready to go back to high school with me?”

Daringly, she kept Speak Now to just one song, maybe figuring that we’re all about to get a massive feast when she drops Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) on July 7. But what a song — “Enchanted” was the only song she needed for that era, the one that sums up all the glorious emotional excess in her songwriting that really caught fire on this album. She sang “Enchanted” in a princess gown (new for these shows) that captured the wonderstruck sparkle of the song.

By the time she got to the Folklore era, it was already a few hours into the show, but her emotional brutality never let up—honestly, the worst thing that she ever did was what she did to us. She sang “The One” on the roof of a mossy cottage — the line that blows up into a real audience screamer is “You meet some woman on the internet and taaaaake her hooome.” She did just the peak of “Illicit Affairs,” the “don’t call me kid” chant—a song about sordid meetings in parking lots hit hard coming an hour after “Fearless,” a very different song about a couple in a parking lot, but maybe the same girl a few years down the line. So many of the songs felt extra cathartic live, since virtually all of us in the crowd learned to sing these songs in a moment of extreme solitude and isolation. She did “Betty,” “Cardigan,” “My Tears Ricochet,” and the unstoppable “August,” pouncing on that final “get in the car!” Also, it wouldn’t be Tay’s style to forget that MetLife Stadium is literally behind a mall.

She slips acoustic surprise songs into the set list every night, one on guitar and one alone with her piano. On Friday night, she did “Getaway Car” (with Jersey boy Jack Antonoff) and “Maroon.” Satuday it was a pair of New York love songs, “Holy Ground” and “False God.” But the peaks were Sunday night, when she did a stripped-down “Welcome to New York,” leaning hard on the line that people chose to overlook in 2014—“You can want who you want/Boys and boys and girls and girls.” Then she did a devastating “Clean” on piano. Her enthusiasm spilled over with quips like “You guys always give 113 per cent” or “You will get a treat for that!” Early on Friday night, she declared, “You guys are historically a great crowd. Do you think that you want to continue that tradition?” When the fans roared, she replied, “I was hoping you would say that. In case you said no, I was going to just ditch this plan completely.

Evermore really loomed large—it might be the most Era of the Eras, the one that transforms most in a live setting. It’s startling how her moodiest, most introspective songs translate as stadium bangers, from the U2 guitar pulse of “’Tis The Damn Season” to the heartache of “Champagne Problems.” “Willow” became a goth ritual — the fans next to me said, “This is where she has a seance.” “Marjorie” had Taylor singing along with the voice of her late grandmother Marjorie Finlay—almost exactly 20 years to the day after she passed away. “She would have loved to sing at MetLife Stadium,” Taylor said on Sunday night. “I guess technically, she just did.”

“All Too Well (Ten Minute Version)” was the coup de grace, filling up the enormous space with the sound of just Taylor and her thousands of confidantes. It couldn’t help but evoke the moment when she sang it the first time she played MetLife Stadium — ten summers ago, in July 2013. That night, it already seemed incredibly to think of how far she’d come so fast. But ten years later, hearing “All Too Well” on that same stage, it seemed to sum up everywhere she’s traveled in those past ten years. Like the rest of the Eras Tour, it was a celebration of all the holy ground she and her audience has covered.

Phoebe Bridgers played all three nights with a fantastic guitar-hero set—what a kick to see “Kyoto” and “Garden Song” take on their rightful grandeur as stadium bangers. These were her final Eras shows, and unsurprisingly, she and Taylor got sentimental about it. When she came out on Sunday to duet on “Nothing New,” Phoebe confessed, “You are my hero,” making Taylor groan, “What are you doing right now?” Tay told her her, “Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for making the best music ever.” Then she apologized to the crowd. “Sorry you had to see that. It was like the last day of summer camp for us.” (We’re Taylor fans. We’re used to seeing “that,” whatever “that” happens to be at the moment.) Taylor also lavished love on her openers  Gayle, Gracie Abrams, and her “Lover” video co-star Owenn. She also went onstage to a brilliant old-school feminist anthem: Lesley Gore’s 1963 classic “You Don’t Own Me,” a song Taylor could have written.”

She ended all three nights with a very special guest: Ice Spice doing her guest verse on “Karma.” Friday night she debuted their “Karma” video during the show, sitting on the stage with her dancers to view it on the screen along with the crowd. “Karma” was a high note to end on, but the amazing thing about the Eras Tour is that it’s so forward-facing, a complex pop history that’s so rich and deep and multilayered, but one that’s still being rewritten right before our eyes, week after week. And there’s no doubt this mastermind is at the absolute peak of her creative powers, after 17 fairly relentless years. This show makes an excellent case that in so many ways, Taylor Swift’s era is really just beginning. (And oh yeah — over the weekend she also released a new song with the hook, “I wouldn’t marry me either.” Yeah, she’s got a lot going on at the moment.)

At one point on Sunday night, during the Midnights finale, I heard voices and thought the security guard near me was arguing with a fan. It turned out they were just trading friendship bracelets. It’s THAT kind of show. That’s the world this woman and only this woman creates, on an epic scale, night after night. There’s no experience in music like being part of that world Taylor Swift creates for a few hours. And there’s no way not to feel joyful about taking it all with you when you leave.

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BLM’s cash chaos
Compliments to Lee Brown at The Post on his thorough and much-needed exposé on Black Lives Matter, the organization that has proven itself to be nothing more than a scam, offering little actual help to the black community and serving only to enrich its intricate network of “leaders” (“Black Lives Matter in the red for $8M+,” May 25).

Time and again, as one head honcho is caught in the act of misappropriating funds and forced to resign, another steps up and does the same. Think of BLM’s administration as a snake with multiple heads.

As evidenced by its tax filings, over the past year BLM Global Network Foundation raised $8.5 million — how, no one really knows.

But even more astounding: During that same year, BLM somehow managed to spend $17 million, leaving the person with an $8.5 million deficit.

So where did all that money go? Or should we ask: Who’s been raking in the bucks?

Bert Wedemeyer, Brooklyn

NYPD shape-up
Oh, the horror (“NYPD snoop troopers,” May 28)!

NYPD officers are being told to drop the illegal window tints, illegal license-plate covers and defaced plates so they can pay tolls and obey traffic laws like everyone else. finally.

Maybe next city and NYPD could eliminate the placards that let cops and everyone else, from MTA workers to Assembly members, park on sidewalks, in traffic and bike lanes and in delivery zones — while the rest of us pay upward of $1,000 a month for parking.

If NYPD cops want respect, they can earn it by showing they respect the law. Any cop who willfully evades tolls and traffic laws is a crook who doesn’t deserve a badge.

Adrian Jones, Manhattan

Sperminator’s run
Any man who is a sperm donor to a dozen children really must think his DNA is all that, and then some (“King of pop!” May 27).

The last thing the Republican Party needs is an over-hyped individual who is most likely also over-sexed.

We have seen the results of that already.

What happened to people who just wanted to help and do their best for their fellow citizens?

Alfred Bonnabel, Manhattan

No speech stifling
Why all the angst and furor over the plain talk of a CUNY law graduate at the school’s commencement (“Just How Dumb Can U. Be?!” June 1)?

So what was it that she criticized US policies toward Israel and lambasted the NYPD and “white racism” in the US.

Since when is a graduate student’s speech at a commencement to be censored or the school is punished by a withdrawal of funds on the grounds that some police or some others in the audience (trustees and city officials) object to the speaker’s opinion?

Isn’t that the uniqueness and beauty of American-style freedoms — that students, faculty and staff at a public law school have a right to speak their personal views and criticisms?

The answer to hateful speech is a prompt response, not censorship or threats to defund the institution that allows free speech.

Law schools especially — including the CUNY Law School — ought to uphold the values ​​of free speech. Imagine what the state of civil rights would have had our law schools disallowed so-called “incendiary,” controversial speech by the radicals of the 1960s and 1970s, militaristic likes Stokely Carmichael, H. Rapp Brown, Dick Gregory and Martin Luther King Jr. .

“Let a thousand tongues wag” is the American way, not censorship or defunding the school that allows a graduate to speak his mind.

Michael Meyers, President, New York Civil Rights Coalition, Manhattan

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