Sports

=**Girls’ Basketball – Interview with J.R. Carrasquillo **= //By Brandon Macisco//

BM: What skills does a coach need for the basketball team? JR: Knowledge of the game and a passion to teach.

BM: How did you start playing basketball? JR: With my friends on the streets of Hartford.

BM: How many years have you been the coach? JR: 5 at ASD, 11 total.

BM: Did you play basketball in high school? JR: Yes I was the starting point guard (PG).

BM: How did you learn to teach basketball? JR: Through years of experience and having a love for the game.

BM: So far how many wins? How many losses? JR: 9-2.

BM: Does the team have a lot of spirit? JR: Yes, the best ever.

BM: Why did you volunteer to coach? JR: I love the game and ASD needed my help.

BM: What was the funniest moment to coach? JR: Seeing one of my players hit a half-court shot.

BM: Will you continue to coach in the future? JR: Yes

BM: What was the most exciting play? JR: Every play is exciting to me. I just love the game.

BM: Will you begin basketball camp? JR: Yes soon I hope.

BM: How did you feel when the girls won the Tip-off tournament in Maine? JR: PROUD! Overcome with joy for them.

BM: Do you give the players a nickname? Why? JR: Yes to break the ice with the new players.

BM: As a coach what kind of relationship do you have with your players? JR: I have a very good relationship somewhat like a father or big brother. They know they can come to me for ANYTHING ANYTIME!! I love the lady Tigers.

BM: Did any player make 1,000 points this year? JR: Yes, Tanasia L.

// By Morgan Rinehart // The new cheerleading coach is Rosemarie Greco. She is an alumni from American School for the Deaf. Also, she is working as a staff member in Quad 1 at ASD. When she was in high school, she participated in cheerleading for 4 years. This year is her first time to coach cheerleading. She teaches cheerleading and spirit from her old cheers when she was in high school and she also studies YouTube videos. Her favorite spirit is class yells. The cheerleading team is Chelsea, Nyree, Glendy, Bryan, Jose, Dennis, Shanice, Maria, Keiondra, Alexis, Ashley D. and Andrea. The co-captains of cheerleading are Glendy (sidelines), Christian (cheers), and Chelsea (stunts). They practice cheerleading in the student lounge, old gym known as Brewster gym or Ward gym. They cheer either boys or girls basketball games. They help each other get ideas for new cheers. The cheerleading team participated in the ESDAA tournament in February. The students who participated in ESDAA were Chelsea, Glendy, Nyree, Bryan, Jose, Dennis, Christian, Shanice (drummer), Keiondra (spotter), and Maria (spotter). Congratulations to Jose Vega for winning 1st place in the Individual Jump Competition, Christian Collazo for winning the Allstar Cheer Player, and Chelsea Garrett placed 4th for the overall Individual Cheering Competition. The ASD Cheerleader Team placed 6th for the overall Cheering competition. Rosemarie wants to say special thanks to those who volunteered their time and effort in assisting the cheerleading team practices. They are Rosemary Landaro, Sharon Speranza and Linda Merlino. A BIG WAVE HANDS TO THEM! Thank you, again! = =
 * ASD Gives New Cheerleading Coach a Warm Welcome **

= Volume 2 Number 1 December, 2012 =

=Volleyball – Interview with Coach Kathy Falco=

//By Brandon Macisco//
BM: What skills does a coach need for the volleyball team?

KF: I help the team learn drills, improve skills, and practice.

BM: How did you start playing volleyball?

KF: I played during Gallaudet College and in deaf clubs.

BM: How many years have you been the coach?

KF: 16 years.

BM: Did you play volleyball in high school?

KF: No.

BM: How did you learn to teach volleyball?

KF: I joined the team at Gallaudet College and P.E. class.

BM: So far how many wins? How many losses?

KF: This year 2-6 so far.

BM: Does the team have a lot of spirit?

KF: Most of the time yes!

BM: Will you continue to coach in the future?

KF: Yes.

BM: Did you volunteer to coach?

KF: I get paid.

BM: What was the funniest moment to coach?

KF: I can’t think of one moment, but we have a good time.

BM: What was the most exciting play?

KF: When we play against deaf schools.

BM: When did you begin a volleyball camp?

KF: Summer of 2006.

BM: Will you coach boys’ volleyball this spring?

KF: No.







=Soccer – Interview with Coach Curt Hayward=

//By Brandon Macisco//
BM: What skills does a coach need for the soccer team?

CH: I need to know drills and foot skills. I should also know First Aid.

BM: How did you start playing soccer?

CH: I started in Gallaudet University.

BM: How many years have you been the coach?

CH: 6 years.

BM: Did you play soccer in high school?

CH: No.

BM: How did you learn to teach soccer?

CH: Through Gallaudet University and websites and books.

BM: So far how many wins? How many losses?

CH: 3 wins, 6 losses, 1 tie.

BM: Does the team have a lot of spirit?

CH: Great and good support.

BM: Will you continue to coach in the future?

CH: Yes

BM: Why did you volunteer to coach?

CH: I enjoy it and like to be in activities.

BM: What was the funniest moment to coach?

CH: When the players all got muddy.

BM: What was the most exciting play?

CH: 2010 New England School for the Deaf championship.

BM: Will you begin a soccer camp?

CH: I will try this year because of young players.

= Volume 1 Number 3 June, 2012 =

= ASD vs. ASDAA =

// By Kayla Valyuria //
On Wednesday, March 7th the ASD boys and girls basketball teams challenged the alumni in the annual basketball game. They invited families, friends, alumni, students, and staff to watch the game. ASDAA Women’s coach was Bev Backofen. ASD girls’ coaches were J.R. and Kristen Feldman.

The ASDAA men had no coach. They agreed to coach each other. There were only 3 players for the alumni women’s team. They had to borrow some ASD players who are over the age limit for the student team. The men had about 15 players. The boys’ were coached by Lou Volpintesta and Dennis Palka.

ASDAA Men won the male game and the ASD Girls won the female game. ASDAA collected an entrance fee from alumni, families, parents, friends, teachers, staff and students to support the ASD Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors ASD athletes in various sports who have won awards and broken records. ASD Hall of Fame is in the museum.







= =

= Volume 1 Number 2 February, 2012 =

= Wrestling Team Full of Good Heart =

By Kayla Valyuria
= = ====This year the wrestling team had an outstanding record of individual performance. The players had a good heart for their team. The members of the team are Erving G., DeQuan T., Kyle D., Bryan H., Alex P., Jose V., and Javier S. Captains are Erving G., Alex P. and Jose V. Coaches are Curt Hayward and Mason Wood. The team practices in Cogswell basement. Jose V. placed 6th in the Prep Tournament.====


 * ====Players==== || ====Wins==== || ====Losses==== ||
 * ====Erving G.==== || ====7==== || ====4==== ||
 * ====Jose V.==== || ====9==== || ====5==== ||
 * ====DeQuan T.==== || ====2==== || ====3==== ||
 * ====Kyle D.==== || ====7==== || ====3==== ||
 * ====Bryan H.==== || ====0==== || ====10==== ||
 * ====Alex P.==== || ====10==== || ====5==== ||
 * ====Javier S.==== || ====0==== || ====0==== ||

====Wrestling is difficult because players must control their weight. If they go over the weight for their class, they can’t play in the wrestling match. For example, if a player is 125 pounds and the other player is 125 pounds, they can play against each other in the game. But if one player goes over 125, he cannot compete. Curt Hayward is still coaching after eleven years. Curt said that all the players are stars. “All played their hearts out. This team is the most outstanding team,” Curt said.====

= Lady Tigers Have Great Basketball Season =

By Shanice Nixon
====This season, the ASD girls’ basketball team had 15 wins and 3 losses. The team placed first in the Tip-off Tournament and took third place in the ESDAA tournament. This year is the best season in recent history because the team has worked hard and has shown they can do the best for their school.====

====Coach Juan Carrasquilla said he is very proud of his team. He likes to help his team learn new skills every day as long as he can teach; he wants them to be the best basketball team they can be. Assistant Coach Kristin Feldman said, “Wow! This year has gotten to be amazing because the team showed that they can do their best.” Coach Carrasquilla said, “The key to success is TEAM.”==== ====The team recently went to White Plains for the ESDAA tournament at Fanwood School for the Deaf. They took 3rd place out of 8 teams. Two players from ASD, Tanasia LaFrazier and Jenilee Marques, got all-stars. Many ASD fans cheered the team during the tournament.====

[[image:IMG_1523.JPG width="240" height="360" caption="Jenilee runs down the court"]]






= Volume 1 Number 1 January, 2012 =

= = = = = Volleyball: A Growing Team =

By Kayla Valyuria
==== The girls’ volleyball team fall season is done with two wins and seven losses. Kathy Falco is coach and she said the girls’ team worked hard everyday and showed school spirit. She wants to see the girls show their skills and become successful. But it is not easy. She feels the girls’ team did a good job and it is good to know the girls are developing their skills. If the girls do not quit, they will grow into a strong team. ====

==== No one got hurt from volleyball this year. Three of our 10 players are top players. They felt disappointed when the ESDAA tournament at Maryland School for Deaf was canceled because of bad weather when the power was off. ====

Assistant Coach is Charise Hoyt. The managers are Shanice, Christian, Kelly and Shamani.
=Soccer: Young Players, Strong Efforts =

By Shanice Nixon
====This year, ASD boys soccer team only had 3 wins, 1 tie and 7 losses. Seven games were canceled because of the snow and a lot of conflicts. They lost 6 senior players last year. Coach Curt Hayward said they had to make an effort to play this year and re-build. They improved their good foot skills and their attitude improved. Curt said hopefully it will be much better next year.====

====The team had an injury before but not serious. Soccer is tough physically, Curt said. Marcus made the most goals on his team. Marcus wants the team to be serious, motivated, show good attitude and that’s what he tries to encourage. Curt said Erick and Oscar T. had the most assists. Nobody got awards; Curt said he wants the players to deserve it. Curt has an assistant coach, Erik Larson.====

For his final comment, Curt said, “Play hard and never quit.”
= No Cheerleading Team This Year =

====Last year most cheerleaders were seniors, and they graduated. Last year cheerleaders cheered for the ASD boys and girls basketball teams. Last year practice was Monday to Thursday. She said both boys and girls can be cheerleaders.====

====When Charise was in high school, she used to be a cheerleader. She cheered for football when she was in high school. She loves to help cheerleaders because she likes to encourage the ASD School spirit.====

====Charise is the only coach. She doesn’t have an assistant. Usually the team has a manager. All students on the cheerleading team give ideas and are creative together. She is hopeful more students will join cheerleading next year.====

=Wrestling Team Prepares for Season=

====Sit-ups, push-ups, crunches, 42 laps, and muscle building exercises are on the agenda in wrestling practices down in Cogswell gym. The boys are sweating profusely and breathing heavily as they try to reach their coaches’ expectations. Head Coach Curtis Hayward, a culinary arts teacher, has big goals for his team. He would like to see his more experienced players at least in the top ten of the twenty-six teams playing in the Western New England Wrestling Tournament this year. The American School for the Deaf’s wrestling team will be up against all hearing schools. Coach Hayward explained that it would be a better competition since you never know if you would be facing the same person again.====