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Deseret Morning News | A chance to compete Schools for Deaf and the Blind are soaring
The girls crowded around their coach amazed that they could see so much of themselves in their opponents.
"The tournament (in Oregon for deaf teams) was an eye-opener for them," said Jen Byrnes, head coach of the girls basketball team at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. "The girls were in a national environment. They're so isolated here, that for some of them, it was the first time they'd seen conversations everywhere among the deaf population. They said, 'Hey, they're teenagers just like us; they're talking about boys and school.' They got to be a part of a bigger community."
Both boys and girls teams from the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind traveled to the tournament earlier this year, and while they did well on the court, it was the off-the-court experiences that mean the most to both players and coaches. They even learned how to cheer for each other for the first time.
"Some of the kids have identity issues, and being part of the larger community helps them develop more confidence as a deaf individual," said USDB head boys coach Craig Radford.
USDB revived its sports programs two years ago with the help of the Utah High School Activities Association. Because the school was unable to field teams for spring sports last year, it is currently an associate member. But officials, coaches, players and parents hope the athletic opportunities for both blind and deaf students only grow in the future, including offering track and field opportunities to deaf and blind students from all over the state.
Radford and Byrnes said that not only have the teams improved in their skills, but they are now enjoying more community support as those affiliated with the school get used to the idea that sports are back for USDB students.
Unlike traditional schools, the USDB doesn't have a single campus where it can rally its students behind its sports programs. Players drive from as far away as Brigham City to play basketball at the USDB site in Taylorsville. Radford said the school is lobbying the Legislature to build them a new school with better facilities, which he believes will help them strengthen the fledgling programs.
"Last year we won one game," Radford said last Thursday before the team's final game of the season. "This year, we are 12-5. But it's not just the record, it's the experience. It helps them develop a lot of valuable skills. It helps them improve their grades, and for many of our kids, it helps with social skills. Because they have different roles, like team captains, they're also learning about leadership. For most of them, it's a new experience."
Both coaches said last year was spent teaching their players what most high school players learn in Junior Jazz leagues.
"They've never been exposed from the time they are little to competition, drills, basic skills," he said. "We did that last year. This year we were able to focus more on offense, fluency, and it improved our game a lot."
Radford, who is deaf, played high school basketball and one year at Utah State. He said the skills learned in sports are invaluable for any person, but especially to a population that can be overlooked.
"I hope the Legislature will build us a new deaf school," he said. "Then we can have a place of our own. It will help us get younger players involved and maybe have a junior varsity team. It will make our teams stronger. Right now our biggest challenge is transportation. Most kids drive at least an hour for practice."
Like the boys, USDB's girls team has improved as well.
"They're competitive," said Byrnes. "They want to represent themselves well. It's easy to see them as handicapped, but the girls don't feel that way about themselves."
Amanda Pyle, a junior who attends Box Elder High, said she loves sports and is grateful for the opportunity to participate.
"I think being able to be social is the best part," she said.
The boys team enjoys one last win over Meridian's junior varsity team and then talks about why they love having their own squad.
"Basketball is my life," said Joshua Clark, a sophomore. "I want to play professionally, but I just enjoy being with the team, having fun."
Adds Terry Melkonian, a senior, "It's good to meet different people, meet new friends."
Opponents of the teams are also enjoying the addition of the USDB teams.
"It's great to see USDB improve," said Meridian girls coach Travis Madsen. "It's such a unique experience to come here. I'd be happy setting this game up every year just to experience the deaf culture."
The girls crowded around their coach amazed that they could see so much of themselves in their opponents.
"The tournament (in Oregon for deaf teams) was an eye-opener for them," said Jen Byrnes, head coach of the girls basketball team at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. "The girls were in a national environment. They're so isolated here, that for some of them, it was the first time they'd seen conversations everywhere among the deaf population. They said, 'Hey, they're teenagers just like us; they're talking about boys and school.' They got to be a part of a bigger community."
Both boys and girls teams from the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind traveled to the tournament earlier this year, and while they did well on the court, it was the off-the-court experiences that mean the most to both players and coaches. They even learned how to cheer for each other for the first time.
"Some of the kids have identity issues, and being part of the larger community helps them develop more confidence as a deaf individual," said USDB head boys coach Craig Radford.
USDB revived its sports programs two years ago with the help of the Utah High School Activities Association. Because the school was unable to field teams for spring sports last year, it is currently an associate member. But officials, coaches, players and parents hope the athletic opportunities for both blind and deaf students only grow in the future, including offering track and field opportunities to deaf and blind students from all over the state.
Radford and Byrnes said that not only have the teams improved in their skills, but they are now enjoying more community support as those affiliated with the school get used to the idea that sports are back for USDB students.
Unlike traditional schools, the USDB doesn't have a single campus where it can rally its students behind its sports programs. Players drive from as far away as Brigham City to play basketball at the USDB site in Taylorsville. Radford said the school is lobbying the Legislature to build them a new school with better facilities, which he believes will help them strengthen the fledgling programs.
"Last year we won one game," Radford said last Thursday before the team's final game of the season. "This year, we are 12-5. But it's not just the record, it's the experience. It helps them develop a lot of valuable skills. It helps them improve their grades, and for many of our kids, it helps with social skills. Because they have different roles, like team captains, they're also learning about leadership. For most of them, it's a new experience."
Both coaches said last year was spent teaching their players what most high school players learn in Junior Jazz leagues.
"They've never been exposed from the time they are little to competition, drills, basic skills," he said. "We did that last year. This year we were able to focus more on offense, fluency, and it improved our game a lot."
Radford, who is deaf, played high school basketball and one year at Utah State. He said the skills learned in sports are invaluable for any person, but especially to a population that can be overlooked.
"I hope the Legislature will build us a new deaf school," he said. "Then we can have a place of our own. It will help us get younger players involved and maybe have a junior varsity team. It will make our teams stronger. Right now our biggest challenge is transportation. Most kids drive at least an hour for practice."
Like the boys, USDB's girls team has improved as well.
"They're competitive," said Byrnes. "They want to represent themselves well. It's easy to see them as handicapped, but the girls don't feel that way about themselves."
Amanda Pyle, a junior who attends Box Elder High, said she loves sports and is grateful for the opportunity to participate.
"I think being able to be social is the best part," she said.
The boys team enjoys one last win over Meridian's junior varsity team and then talks about why they love having their own squad.
"Basketball is my life," said Joshua Clark, a sophomore. "I want to play professionally, but I just enjoy being with the team, having fun."
Adds Terry Melkonian, a senior, "It's good to meet different people, meet new friends."
Opponents of the teams are also enjoying the addition of the USDB teams.
"It's great to see USDB improve," said Meridian girls coach Travis Madsen. "It's such a unique experience to come here. I'd be happy setting this game up every year just to experience the deaf culture."