The United States of America Deaf Basketball (USADB) will be hosting its 75th annual tournament in Noblesville next weekend, April 11-13.
The weekend events will include: Over 40 competitive basketball games throughout three days; a room that will consist of memorabilia with over of 75 years of program books, pictures and others; inducting new Hall of Fame members; recognizing former Hall of Famers and leaders at the special Saturday night program ceremony where the USADB will share many memories through old videos and pictures.
Games will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12 at Finch Creek Field House, 16289 Boden Road, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Noblesville High School, 18111 Cumberland Road. The Saturday games will include the women’s championship game at noon and the men’s championship game at 2:30 p.m. The 75th anniversary program is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the Noblesville Parks and Recreation Annex at Ivy Tech Community College, 300 N. 17th St. Doors open at 5 p.m.
In 1945, the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) was founded in Akron, Ohio by several people led by late Art Kruger and Tom Elliott. Their goal was to start an annual basketball tournament for Deaf basketball players. The organization has consistently and without fail provided an annual tournament for 75 consecutive years across the country in major Deaf communities in spite of several wars, depressions, extreme weathers or any natural disasters.
Over the years, the United States of America Deaf Basketball (USADB), which has since been renamed from AAAD, has continued to grow and expand. In 1945, only five men’s teams competed for the Deaf national basketball championship. Fast forward to the USADB’s most recent tournament last spring in Round Rock, Texas, a total of 36 teams participated and competed in the Men Division 1, Women Division and Men Division II national championships.
The USADB would like to extend an invitation to the Greater Indianapolis community to join this historic event. The organization also welcomes any persons or business interested in sponsorships. For more information, contact Joey Baer, National Program Director at national@usadb.us.
For more information, visit the USADB’s website at www.usadb.us
