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USA Deaf Basketball Tournament draws thousands -- OrlandoSentinel.com
William McGowan of Chuluota may have a hearing problem, but it hasn't affected his keen sense of competition when it comes to basketball.
McGowan joins more than 500 players from 48 teams across the country who are gathered in Orlando this weekend for the USA Deaf Basketball Tournament.
"I love competition," said McGowan, who has played with the South Florida Recreation Association of the Deaf for the past 12 years.
"I love playing good players."
This is his team's second appearance at the national tournament.
"We've done so much throughout the year," he said. "We're hoping that we can at least make it to the finals."
More than 3,000 fans are expected at this year's event.
The national tournament is designed "to give the deaf and hard of hearing players a chance to compete against each other," David Hamilton, deputy commissioner for the United States of America Deaf Basketball Tournament, said via e-mail.
Prior to competing at the national level, teams must earn a ranking position at their regional competition. There are eight regions throughout the country.
"Most of the players played high school and college basketball," Hamilton said. "I would compare the competition level to the Division III college level. There are few players that have played Division I basketball in the past."
The tournament began Thursday and runs through Saturday. Games are played at the Champions Sports Complex in Orlando and Dr. Phillips High School.
Past tournament sites include Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami.
"It is very good to have USADB here in Florida because most players do have family, and the wives can take kids to many different places and let the husbands play basketball and be with their buddies," said Daryl Johnson, president of the Southeast Athletic Association of the Deaf Inc.
But it's not only men who are playing. This year marks the 64th Men's and 18th Women's tournament.
The first national competition was sponsored by the Akron Club of the Deaf in Ohio in 1945, which also established the American Athletic Union of the Deaf. The organization became the USA Deaf Basketball Inc. in 1995.
"The players have to be deaf or hard of hearing," Hamilton said. "Coaches and officers don't have to be deaf or hard of hearing, but all should be able to communicate through American Sign Language."
Games adhere to the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, with minor differences.
For instance, referees make calls using a whistle and their hands, Hamilton said. The players rely on visual cues and are able to notice the movements quickly.
In addition to the tournament, there will be an all-star game for high school players, similar to the McDonald's High School All-American game.
Proceeds from the event will fund programs for deaf youths and cover expenses for the men's and women's USA National Deaf Basketball Team to participate in the international games in Taipei, Taiwan, in summer 2009.
Hamilton is also the team director for both teams.
According to the USADB Web site, the purpose of the organization is "to foster and regulate uniform rules of competition and provide social outlets for deaf members and their friends." About 1,200 players are a part of the organization.
"I grew up in a deaf family who loves the game of basketball," Johnson said. "I never stop attending USADB tournaments."
William McGowan of Chuluota may have a hearing problem, but it hasn't affected his keen sense of competition when it comes to basketball.
McGowan joins more than 500 players from 48 teams across the country who are gathered in Orlando this weekend for the USA Deaf Basketball Tournament.
"I love competition," said McGowan, who has played with the South Florida Recreation Association of the Deaf for the past 12 years.
"I love playing good players."
This is his team's second appearance at the national tournament.
"We've done so much throughout the year," he said. "We're hoping that we can at least make it to the finals."
More than 3,000 fans are expected at this year's event.
The national tournament is designed "to give the deaf and hard of hearing players a chance to compete against each other," David Hamilton, deputy commissioner for the United States of America Deaf Basketball Tournament, said via e-mail.
Prior to competing at the national level, teams must earn a ranking position at their regional competition. There are eight regions throughout the country.
"Most of the players played high school and college basketball," Hamilton said. "I would compare the competition level to the Division III college level. There are few players that have played Division I basketball in the past."
The tournament began Thursday and runs through Saturday. Games are played at the Champions Sports Complex in Orlando and Dr. Phillips High School.
Past tournament sites include Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami.
"It is very good to have USADB here in Florida because most players do have family, and the wives can take kids to many different places and let the husbands play basketball and be with their buddies," said Daryl Johnson, president of the Southeast Athletic Association of the Deaf Inc.
But it's not only men who are playing. This year marks the 64th Men's and 18th Women's tournament.
The first national competition was sponsored by the Akron Club of the Deaf in Ohio in 1945, which also established the American Athletic Union of the Deaf. The organization became the USA Deaf Basketball Inc. in 1995.
"The players have to be deaf or hard of hearing," Hamilton said. "Coaches and officers don't have to be deaf or hard of hearing, but all should be able to communicate through American Sign Language."
Games adhere to the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, with minor differences.
For instance, referees make calls using a whistle and their hands, Hamilton said. The players rely on visual cues and are able to notice the movements quickly.
In addition to the tournament, there will be an all-star game for high school players, similar to the McDonald's High School All-American game.
Proceeds from the event will fund programs for deaf youths and cover expenses for the men's and women's USA National Deaf Basketball Team to participate in the international games in Taipei, Taiwan, in summer 2009.
Hamilton is also the team director for both teams.
According to the USADB Web site, the purpose of the organization is "to foster and regulate uniform rules of competition and provide social outlets for deaf members and their friends." About 1,200 players are a part of the organization.
"I grew up in a deaf family who loves the game of basketball," Johnson said. "I never stop attending USADB tournaments."
