By: Cassie Kasic

Originally named the American Athletic Union of the Deaf Renamed the American Athletic Association of the Deaf a few years later Renamed to its current name USA Deaf Sports Federation in 1997
Changed American to USA Changed Athletic to Sports

 The USA Deaf Sports Federation embraces universal values of self-respect, sportsmanship, and competition, which transcend all boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, race, and religion. The USADSF believes that through recreational opportunities, sports training, and competition, deaf and hard of hearing people can benefit physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually in an environment of equality, mutual respect, and acceptance. The USADSF believes in the consistent and ongoing training and development of the deaf and hard of hearing individuals as leaders, coaches, officials, and participants.

 To provide year round training and athletic competition in a variety of sports at the state, regional, national, and international level for developing and elite athletes.

 To provide deaf and hard of hearing children and adults with opportunities to compete with their peers as well as the larger society athletes worldwide. Through the United States Olympic Committees National Governing bodies, the USADSF produces competitive U.S. Teams at the World Games for the Deaf.

 Moved to Akron, Ohio is 1939 Organized the first national deaf basketball tournament
Held on April 14th, 1945 Sponsored by the Akron Club for the Deaf

Kruger, Gallaudet alumni, and other deaf sports enthusiast came together this same year and started AAAD Was the associations first president from 1945-1982 Known as the Father of the AAAD Organized deaf sports clubs into regions across the USA Generated interest in Deaf Sports through his writing Got the USA involved in the World Games, known as the Deaflympics today

 Throughout his time with AAAD he helped raise over $2 million Brought many teams to the international games, including the first team in 1957 Once retired, he moved to Washington D.C. and volunteered for Gallaudet alumni activities and updating the Gallaudet Almanac He died in 1992 at the age of 81

 Larry grew up in Long Island, New York Known for being a leader and visionary in the deaf sports community Known for restructuring AAAD into USA Deaf Sports Federation Chair of the restructuring committee from 19851989 President of AAAD from 1989-1998

Took a break from 1999-2003 and was the president of PAN American Deaf Sports Organization Returned USADSF in 2003 as president, until his death in 2009 at the age of 64 *side notehe was a professor at California State University, Northridge and was a huge part of establishing their Deaf Studies program.

 Without the AAAD many deaf athletes would not have gotten to compete nationally or internationally Also, without Larry Fleischer the AAAD may still be only hosting only basketball and softball competitions instead of the 26 sports they currently host competitions