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NYSD players in harmony on the court | The Journal News | LoHud.com | LoHud.com
When Matt Eby gives his players instructions in his team huddle, everyone in the gym knows what he’s telling them. When he wants to get his players’ attention during a game, he has to wait until they are on his side of the court.
For most basketball coaches, limitations such as these would be frustrating. So how does Eby, who coaches the New York School for the Deaf boys basketball team and is deaf as well, deal with these limitations?
It’s not as difficult as one might think. Communication and speaking are not synonymous.
“We use our eyes in ways hearing people don’t, and we communicate with each other the same way hearing people do,” Eby signed to a translator.
“Yes, we can’t hear the other team, but we don’t really care what they do. We overcome those obstacles. There are no barriers here.”
Added Juan Sosa, a 15-year-old on the team, through a translator: “I have amazing peripheral vision and notice things that my opponents that can hear don’t. It’s kind of a gift we get.”
A graduate of Gallaudet University — located in Washington, D.C., and the only university for deaf people in the world — Eby is in his second year as NYSD athletic director and boys basketball coach. The 27-year-old, who played basketball and soccer for Division III Gallaudet, has the tall, lean body of an athlete and the sideline demeanor of a monk. Even if he could scream at his players, he doesn't seem as though he would.
When it comes to coaching at NYSD, Eby’s goal is a simple one.
“Our kids love playing sports, and sports keep them busy, occupied and active,” he said. “A lot of them don’t have good communication at home. Sports lets them socialize with their peers, and it obviously enhances their self-esteem.”
That’s not to say that NYSD sports teams care more about camaraderie than winning; it would be impossible for a high school team to play harder, and it would be impossible for a gym to get louder than the one on the school’s White Plains campus. (Although that could also be a result of the constant banging of a gigantic bass drum.)
Most of the school’s basketball players, boys and girls, grew up playing basketball at their local parks. To them, winning matters — especially when it comes to playing other teams made up of deaf athletes.
“Playing against hearing teams is a little boring. But when we play against deaf teams, I get really inspired,” Sheilyn De La Cruz, a 15-year-old on the NYSD girls team, said through a translator. “It’s hard to explain, but I just love that challenge and experience.” This is a feeling shared by many of the school’s basketball players. Part of the reason is that all of the school’s games against hearing teams are officially scrimmages, unlike their schedule against deaf teams, which culminates with the annual Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association basketball tournament.
It is a somewhat curious reaction, considering that playing other deaf teams takes away one of NYSD’s advantages.
“Non-deaf teams can’t talk trash to us,” a smiling Eby said. “I think that deflates them a little bit.”
When Matt Eby gives his players instructions in his team huddle, everyone in the gym knows what he’s telling them. When he wants to get his players’ attention during a game, he has to wait until they are on his side of the court.
For most basketball coaches, limitations such as these would be frustrating. So how does Eby, who coaches the New York School for the Deaf boys basketball team and is deaf as well, deal with these limitations?
It’s not as difficult as one might think. Communication and speaking are not synonymous.
“We use our eyes in ways hearing people don’t, and we communicate with each other the same way hearing people do,” Eby signed to a translator.
“Yes, we can’t hear the other team, but we don’t really care what they do. We overcome those obstacles. There are no barriers here.”
Added Juan Sosa, a 15-year-old on the team, through a translator: “I have amazing peripheral vision and notice things that my opponents that can hear don’t. It’s kind of a gift we get.”
A graduate of Gallaudet University — located in Washington, D.C., and the only university for deaf people in the world — Eby is in his second year as NYSD athletic director and boys basketball coach. The 27-year-old, who played basketball and soccer for Division III Gallaudet, has the tall, lean body of an athlete and the sideline demeanor of a monk. Even if he could scream at his players, he doesn't seem as though he would.
When it comes to coaching at NYSD, Eby’s goal is a simple one.
“Our kids love playing sports, and sports keep them busy, occupied and active,” he said. “A lot of them don’t have good communication at home. Sports lets them socialize with their peers, and it obviously enhances their self-esteem.”
That’s not to say that NYSD sports teams care more about camaraderie than winning; it would be impossible for a high school team to play harder, and it would be impossible for a gym to get louder than the one on the school’s White Plains campus. (Although that could also be a result of the constant banging of a gigantic bass drum.)
Most of the school’s basketball players, boys and girls, grew up playing basketball at their local parks. To them, winning matters — especially when it comes to playing other teams made up of deaf athletes.
“Playing against hearing teams is a little boring. But when we play against deaf teams, I get really inspired,” Sheilyn De La Cruz, a 15-year-old on the NYSD girls team, said through a translator. “It’s hard to explain, but I just love that challenge and experience.” This is a feeling shared by many of the school’s basketball players. Part of the reason is that all of the school’s games against hearing teams are officially scrimmages, unlike their schedule against deaf teams, which culminates with the annual Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association basketball tournament.
It is a somewhat curious reaction, considering that playing other deaf teams takes away one of NYSD’s advantages.
“Non-deaf teams can’t talk trash to us,” a smiling Eby said. “I think that deflates them a little bit.”