As the head coach of the USA Deaf Men’s Olympic Basketball Team and director of the Southwest Deaf Optimist Club, I’m honored to help 12 incredible Deaf athletes represent Team USA at the 2025 Deaf Olympics in Tokyo.

Unlike the traditional Olympics, Paralympics, and Special Olympics, Deaf Olympic athletes receive no federal or Olympic committee funding. That means our players must cover 100% of their travel, lodging, and competition costs themselves — just to have the chance to compete on the world stage.

Our team is made up of dedicated athletes from across the country who have trained tirelessly for this opportunity. They’re not only striving for gold — they’re representing the Deaf community with pride, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations.

This journey involves significant expenses, including:

* Domestic travel to Los Angeles

* International flights to Tokyo

* Lodging and meals

* Gym fees for practices

* Tournament participation and insurance fees

* Local transportation in Tokyo

We are supported by the Southwest Optimist Club for the Deaf, but we cannot do this alone. Every donation goes directly toward helping these athletes chase their Olympic dream.

As someone who’s competed in five Deaf Olympics, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this experience has. Our program has a proud history — bringing home gold medals — and we’re determined to continue that tradition in 2025.

With your support, we can make sure these athletes get to Tokyo and proudly represent the U.S. and the Deaf community on a global stage.

Thank you for believing in us.