Toss your $5.00 into Gorrell’s Worn-out USA-WGD Cap
Over the past year, I have thought about attending the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan, as a spectator from November 15 to 26.
Despite being 81 years old, I recently purchased an international flight ticket so I can go to Japan on November 13 for my 14th Deaflympics.
Last month, I learned that Bruce Gross from California and I will be the first Deaf Americans to attend the 14th Summer Deaflympics. However, Gross has attended all the Games as a spectator. That means I could be the first American affiliated with the American Athletic Association for the Deaf (now known as the USA Deaf Sports Federation) to attend the 14th Summer Deaflympics.
Former volleyball player Jeff Ditcher will arrive in Tokyo for his 12th Summer Deaflympics after missing the 2022 Brazilian Games. Joining the 12th Summer Deaflympic Club, former cyclist Bobby Skedsmo and the late ICSD President Jerald Jordon last attended the 2017 Turkey Games and the 2005 Australian Games, respectively.
$5.00??? I have an idea: donate $5.00 to help cover my expenses by subscribing to my Amerideaf’s Newsletter for one month. While I’m in Tokyo, I will write more paid newsletter issues for you.
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1957 - 8th International Silent Games in Milan, Italy
The Games prompted the USA to assemble its first complete team.
I was 13 years old and knew nothing about this international event.
The USA delegation consisted of 40 members.
1961 - 9th International Silent Games in Helsinki, Finland
At 17, I still knew nothing about the Games.
The number of team members representing the USA was increased to 93.
1965 - 10th International Silent Games in Washington, DC, USA
At my peak athletic performance, I first saw the Games’ name in my local newspaper when I was 21.
The USA delegation increased to 159.
In 1966, my elementary school classmate introduced me to her boyfriend, Emory Marsh, who persuaded me to think about joining the 1969 USA-WGD team.
Later, in the spring of 1967, I visited Gallaudet College (now University) to meet the legendary Deaf coach, Tom Berg. He said that javelin and hammer throwing were the weakest events for Deaf athletes in the USA. Ironically, these two events were my Ohio University track and field team’s strongest, so I decided to stop hurdling and learn two new events I had never done before.
During my senior year of 1967-68, I trained with the OU team under the guidance of Stan Huntman, a legendary coach who later served as a men’s assistant coach during the 1976 Summer Olympics and as the men’s head coach for the American team in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
At the first-ever USA-WGD tryout in Berkeley, California, I finished second in the javelin throw, so I made the 1969 team.
1969 - 11th World Games for the Deaf in Belgrade, Yugoslavia
It was my very first Deaflympics!
I finished fifth in the javelin and sixth in the hammer throw. The latter helped me set the Deaf USA record.
123 Americans competed in these Games.
1973 - 12th World Games for the Deaf in Malmö, Sweden
At my 2nd Deaflympics, I fell seven inches short of winning the bronze medal in the javelin throw, while 144 other Americans participated in these Games.
During the 1976 USA-WGD tryouts, I didn't make the 1977 USA-WGD team, but Art Kruger, the team’s chairman, chose me as his congressional liaison.
In November 1976, I first reached out to the President’s Commission on Olympic Sports (PCOS).
1977 - 13th World Games for the Deaf in Bucharest, Romania
I served as the Tennis Team Manager at my 3rd Deaflympics and watched 135 USA athletes compete in their sports.
In early 1978, the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation recognized my expertise and asked me to help draft the subsections on athletes with disabilities for their proposed bill, “S.2727 - Amateur Sports Act of 1978.”
On November 8, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the Amateur Sports
Act of 1978.
On April 28, 1979, the Executive Board of the United States Olympic Committee chose me as one of five at-large members to serve on the USOC Handicapped in Sports Committee.
1981 - 14th World Games for the Deaf in Cologne, Germany
I became a spectator for the first time at my 4th Deaflympics, when the USA delegation numbered 170.
In 1984, I was appointed by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) as the Tennis Technical Delegate from 1984 to 1989.
1985 - 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, CA, USA
At my 5th Deaflympics, I served as the ICSD Tennis Technical Delegate.
The highlight of the tennis event was the five-hour match between two U.S. tennis players, Jeff Osborne and Brad Minns, fighting for the Gold Medal in Men’s Singles.
This match led to the creation of a “Never Give Up” film released in 2023.
A considerable number of American spectators cheered loudly as 170 USA athletes participated in the Games.
1989 - 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch, New Zealand
I served as the ICSD Tennis Technical Delegate at my 6th Deaflympics. The USA delegation numbered 171.
1993 - 17th World Games for the Deaf in Sofia, Bulgaria
I returned as a spectator for my 7th Deaflympics. 159 American athletes competed in the Games.
1997 - 18th World Games for the Deaf in Copenhagen, Denmark
I was a spectator at my 8th Deaflympics. 151 American athletes marched in the Opening Ceremony while the President of the International Olympic Committee watched.
President Bill Clinton signed the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1998 on October 21, 1998.
2001 - 19th Summer Deaflympics in Rome, Italy
Before going backpacking in Italy, I attended my 9th Deaflympics and mentored two new USA tennis coaches. The USA delegation expanded to 191 members.
2005 - 19th Summer Deaflympics in Melbourne, Australia
I was listed on the 2005 USA Deaflympics team roster, but I withdrew two months before the Games due to financial difficulties that prevented me from attending. Still, 171 American team members enjoyed competing at the Games.
It might be my biggest regret in life!
2009 - 20th Summer Deaflympics in Taipei, Chinese Taipei
With a delegation of 141 from the USA, I returned as the USA Tennis Team Leader for my 10th Deaflympics.
2013 - 21st Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria
Interestingly, when I attended my 11th Deaflympics as a spectator, the ICSD Tennis Technical Delegate asked me to serve as a deaf representative because the Organizing Committee couldn't find a local deaf person. So I accepted.
Since I was busy at the tennis venue, I didn't watch much of the other 124 USA athletes competing in the Games.
2017 - 22nd Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey
I returned as Tennis Team Leader for my 12th Deaflympics. The ISIS scare reduced the size of the USA delegation to 58.
2022 - 23rd Summer Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil
COVID caused the Games to be rescheduled from 2021 to 2022.
Again, I served as the Tennis Team Leader for my 13th Deaflympics. Ignoring the COVID fears, 137 brave Americans entered the gymnasium for the Opening Ceremony.
2025 - 24th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan.
It will be my 14th Deaflympics as a spectator.
The size of the USA delegation is unknown as of today.
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If a $5 donation is too small, why not commit to an annual $50 subscription?
However, if you want to contribute more than $50, you can reach out to my right-hand, Alfredo Galvez, who can give you instructions on how to donate. His email is alfrelgballinas@gmail.com. (Be sure to include “Howie Gorrell” in the subject line.)
Before closing this issue, I was surprised that The Sports Examiner editor, Rich Perelman, called me a Deaflympics Activist in his October 21st edition. I never considered it. Do you agree with him?
I would appreciate more support from you for my expenses to Tokyo and for advocating for Deaflympian rights. Thanks again.