Down, Set, WHAT?

The ride from Blair High School to Gallaudet University carried more than just its flag football team—it carried curiosity, excitement, and a chance to experience a different way of communicating and competing.

For many of the Blair players, this visit was their first real exposure to a deaf athletic environment. The proximity from Blair HS to Gallaudet University offers the high schoolers a chance to witness something unique. The campus itself felt familiar in some ways—students crossing quads, teams warming up on fields—but there was a visible and powerful difference: communication happened through movement, expression, and sign language rather than sound.

The idea of this visit was initiated by Blair Social Studies teacher and Flag Football coach Ms. Rebecca Hughes.  In an effort to expose her team to collegiate flag football, she reached out to some coaches and the Gallaudet game fit the team’s schedule.  “We have a core group of athletes who love going to watch flag football games. We have been to several high school games, and there are many who are interested in playing at the next level (either formally or informally) … We have several athletes who are in our amazing American Sign Language Program and have been to Gallaudet on field trips before. We had a large group indicate interest. I reached out to the Gallaudet Head Coach and Athletic Director, and we were invited to meet the athletes after the game.”  

What began as an initial thought about exposing her team to flag football turned into a life-changing event.  Continued Coach Hughes, “Wanting to be as inclusive and respectful as possible, I was not expecting the coach or athletes to lip-read or have to figure out how to communicate with our athletes. I asked Mr. Mather, one of our ASL teachers, if we would expect that there would be someone who could translate, and if not, if he was willing to teach us a few flag-football-related signs. In addition to agreeing to teach our athletes some signs, he was so excited by the opportunity that he agreed to help chaperone the trip and help interpret. Mr. Sealts, another ASL teacher at Blair who attended Gallaudet, was also willing to come. Our athletes who are in ASL took some leadership teaching and worked with the athletes who are not, but there was a lot of excitement about learning signs in addition to the opportunity to attend. At the game, Mr. Mather and Mr. Sealts introduced our athletes to the Gallaudet community, as well as the coaches and players at the end of the game”.  Blair student Camille Wade was thrilled with the experience.  “We all were amused by the way they ran their concession stand. They had out a white board and marker for those who didn’t know how to sign. At the end of the game, we were able to meet the players and tell them about what positions we played.”  

As usual, sports helped grow a community, connected people from various parts of life, and provided a memorable experience.  The team emphasized how valuable the trip was, not just athletically but culturally. It challenged players to think differently about communication, teamwork, and inclusion. It also highlighted how sports can adapt and thrive in diverse environments.

The Blair team carried more than memories of a game. They brought back a new perspective—one that expanded their understanding of what it means to be a team. Watching Gallaudet’s deaf athletes compete at a high level didn’t just impress them; it reshaped how they saw the possibilities within the sport itself.

In the end, the visit wasn’t just about football. It was about connection, awareness, and realizing that the essence of teamwork goes far beyond words.