Gallaudet staff reflect on Deaflympics

The 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei raised the bar for achievements on and off the field of international play for deaf and hard of hearing athletes. The United States contingent won 10 gold medals, five silver medals, and seven bronze medals. Along the way, countless Gallaudet alumni, student-athletes, and staff members helped the red, white, and blue to many victories at the Deaflympics.

“I have attended five Deaflympics, and Taipei has been the best experience ever because they treated us like true Olympians,” said Gallaudet volleyball coach Lynn Ray Boren.

Boren led the U.S. women’s volleyball team to a silver medal. The U.S. lost to the Ukraine, 3-0, in the gold medal match after the women won a tough 3-1 semifinal match against Japan. Four Gallaudet student-athletes were on the silver medal volleyball team: Justine Jeter, Paige Johnson, Amanda Krieger, and Shana Lehmann.

“It was an accomplishment to play in the gold medal match after beating Japan in the semifinals,” said Boren. “We improved from 2005 to 2009 as we moved up a medal from bronze to silver. Our goal is still a gold medal and we will aim for that in 2013.”
Gallaudet Head Athletic Trainer Jon Vaughan stayed busy in Taipei. One of Team USA’s athletic trainers, he worked with the beach volleyball, tae kwon do, and wrestling teams. The wrestling team was coached by Gallaudet coach Thad Ferguson.

“I have a great appreciation for those who were involved in the planning, and participating in the 2009 Deaflympics,” said Vaughan. “The Taiwanese did an excellent job in hosting, coordinating, and celebrating these games; they were the most supportive and energetic people I’ve ever met. I was able to hear about experiences and perspectives from deaf people from all around the world in one place. It was a privilege to provide medical care to such a great group of athletes.”

The 2013 Deaflympics will be held in Athens, Greece, from July 31 to August 13.

Limited tickets remain for Athletics Hall of Fame
A brisk sale of tickets to the Gallaudet University Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony has dwindled the ticket allotment down to only 35. This event, scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 10 a.m. in the Kellogg Conference Hotel, will sell out and no tickets will be available at the door. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased only in advance— before the October 16 deadline—through the Athletics Department. Tickets can be purchased by cash, check, or credit card. To buy tickets, please see Anna Hall in the Field House, Room 144. For more information, email her at anna.hall@gallaudet.edu. The 2009 Hall of Fame includes Charles L. Hammack, Robert Jackson, Richard A. Jacobs, Touria Ouahid Boren, Michelle Poole, Vincent Todd Silvestri, and Shannon D. Simon.

2009-10 BISONpass available
The 2009-10 BISONpass is now available in time for the new season of Gallaudet athletics. The BISONpass includes admission to all ticketed University athletic events, including football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. Gallaudet faculty and staff can purchase a pass for the low price of $40. This is a great savings, since each cardholder saves nearly 75 percent off all admission charges for home-ticketed games. Plus, all BISONpass holders receive a complimentary soft drink per ticketed game and a gift at the end of the season. Please download a BISONpass form on the Athletics website and return to Brian Huntington in Ely Center, Room B02B, or campus mail, attention Athletics Department.