MSS 170

Xth International Games for the Deaf, 1965

Collection of the Xth International Games for the Deaf, 1935-1972

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository:  Gallaudet University Archives

Call No.:  MSS 170

Creator:

Title:  Collection of the Xth International Games for the Deaf, 1935-1972

Quantity:  9 linear feet (15 document boxes and 4 oversize boxes)

Abstract:  This collection consists of articles, booklets, bulletins, correspondence, flags, gifts from various countries, lists of competing nations and sports, magazines, manuscripts, newsletters, news clippings, photographs, programs, reports from members of the committee, speeches, and statistics.

Note:

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information:  The Collection of American Athletic Association of the Deaf was donated to the Gallaudet University Archives by Jerald Jordan on September 4, 1975.

Processed By:  Jeffrey Peterson, 2008 November 12.

Processing Note:

Conditions on Use and Access:  This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives

Vertical Files

• American Athletic Association of the Deaf.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Associations
• American Athletic Association of the Deaf.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Subject
• Comite International des Sports Silencieux.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Subject
• Comite International des Sports des Sourds.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Subject
• International Games for the Deaf, 1965.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Subject
• USA Deaf Sports Federation.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number Deaf Subject

SMSS

• Papers, Sanford Robey Burns, 1929-1965.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS
• Papers, Sanford Robey Burns, 1959-1965.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS

Manuscripts

• Papers, Arthur A. Kruger, 1919-1993.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: MSS 58
• Papers, Jerald M. Jordan, 1955-1986.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: MSS 97
• Papers, Leon Auerbach, 1930-1986.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number MSS 142

Historical Sketch

The Xth International Games for the Deaf in the summer of 1965 took place in Washington, DC, and was the first to be held on American soil.  The Games were hosted by the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) under the parent organization of the Comite International des Sports des Silencieux (CISS, now known as the Comite International des Sports des Sourds, or translated into English the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf), the oldest organization sponsoring sporting competitions for the deaf.  Gallaudet University served as the “Games Village” while sporting events took place at Cole Field house and Byrd Stadium at the University of Maryland.  For swimming events the East Potomac Park Swimming Pool was used.

Twenty-seven countries and 696 athletes participated in the Xth International Games, now commonly referred to as the “Deaflympics.”

In 1948 the AAAD became affiliated with the CISS—the CISS was the first organization to gain recognition for international competition for the deaf by the International Olympic Committee.  The AAAD, through its affiliation with the CISS, became the lead organization for national and international sports competitions for the deaf in the United States and is the only US organization recognized to coordinate participation of United States athletes for international competition.  The AAAD was the first national group among deaf persons to eliminate and prohibit discrimination based on a person’s race or creed.

In 1997 the AAAD changed its name to the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF).

Scope and Content

The Collection consists of 15 document boxes and 4 oversize boxes—approximately 9 linear feet and 6,800 pages—containing material dating from 1935 to 1972.  Documents contained within the Collection include agendas from AAAD Board of Directors’ Meetings and the annual basketball tournament Executive Committee, autobiographies of the 1965 Tenth World Games for the Deaf Organizing Committee, correspondence, lists containing the participating nations and the sports those nations would be participating in for the 1965 World Games, minutes, manuscripts regarding the deaf in the United States that were used in the 1965 World Games Souvenir Book and press releases, news clippings from the time of the Games, newsletters, programs, reports from each division of the Games committee, statistics, photographs from the opening ceremonies parade of nations, photographs taken during sports competitions, photographs of social events at the time of the 1965 Games, and objects from various participating countries given to the AAAD as gifts.

The majority of content and strongest portion of the Collection is the correspondence series, which are organized by date.  One folder contains correspondence either without a date or without a specific date (i.e. “Monday”) and are located in the folder “Correspondence – No Date.”  These documents are listed alphabetically based on who the letter was sent to.  The bulk of material is from 1962 to 1965.

Another significant portion of the Collection includes reports from the 1965 World Games for the Deaf Committee which details the progression of the Games.  Of particular note are the reports from the Team Director, Art Kruger, which details the selection of the United States team.

The weakest portion of the collection is memorandums since most correspondence between the Committee members are in the form of letters—the Committee members worked out of their respective office which were spread throughout the country—and are therefore filed under “correspondence.”

 [Please see archives staff for assistance with viewing photographs and objects.]

Series Description and Folder Lists

Series 1:           Agendas/ Autobiographies/ Booklets

Box 1

Series 1 consists of agendas of the annual basketball tournament and 1965 board meetings, as well as autobiographies of the Games Committee members, booklets ranging from services for visitors and athletes during their stay to either participate or spectate in the Games, International Olympic Committee regulations, and copies of the “AAAD Bulletin.”

Series 2:           Correspondence

Boxes 1-4

This series contains correspondence between the 1965 Committee members, individuals interested in attending the Games and where information could be found regarding hotel accommodations, ticket information and general schedules for the Games, requests for information about how to qualify for the United States team, communications between companies and the Games committee regarding funding of the competition, and correspondence from various international organizations concerning participation and representation of their country.  Correspondence is filed by date.  One folder contains correspondence that lacked dates and is filed alphabetically based on who the letter was sent to.  In the case of general correspondence, such as letters to undesignated persons, these documents have been filed by who sent the letter.

Series 3:           Lists/ Manuscripts/ Newsletters/ Press Information/ Programs

Boxes 5-8

This group contains lists of participating nations and the sports they have entered, lists of materials, personnel, and equipment needed for the Games, manuscripts discussing the life of the deaf in the United States that were used in the 1965 Tenth World Games for the Deaf souvenir book and press releases, and programs for the Games and tournaments sponsored by the AAAD.

Series 4:           Reports/ Statistics

Box 8

In this series are reports from each of the different divisions that made up the 1965 Tenth World Games for the Deaf Committee and their progress leading up to the Games.  Also included are schedules for both sporting and non-sporting (social) events, and statistics regarding athlete times and performances taken into consideration for the selection of the United States team and evaluation of competition.

Series 5:           Objects (Gifts)

Boxes 9-12, OV 01

This grouping holds various gifts received by the AAAD from nations that participated in the 1965 World Games for the Deaf.  The American Flag and CISS flag used during the Games is also in this series.

Series 6:           Photographs

Boxes (Photographs) 1-6

Series 6 consists of photographs captured during the opening ceremony parade of nations, action photographs from various sporting events, award winners, social events, and general pictures taken throughout the 1965 Games.  Box 6 of this series holds a photo album that houses 63 photographs given to the AAAD by the All India Federation of the Deaf.