FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USADB Board Appoints Gregory A. Mendenhall as New Public Relations Director

Ogden, UT  (May 9, 2011) - The USADB Executive Board is pleased to announce the selection of Gregory Mendenhall as the new Public Relations Director, filling the vacancy left by Jax Levesque.  Mr. Mendenhall, a high school English teacher at Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD), comes to us highly qualified.  Mr. Mendenhall graduated from Gallaudet University in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Enlgish and is currently pursuing a Master's of Education in the field of Deaf Education at the University of Minnesota.  Mr. Mendenhall's experience includes working for the Buff and Blue at Gallaudet University, where he worked not only as a copy editor, but also assisted in finding potential sponsors and advertising deals with various companies.  Also, Mr. Mendenhall worked with Residence Life (formerly Campus Life) at Gallaudet University as a Resident Assistant and as a Hall Resident Advisor, where he was expected to solict potential donors to help support dorm programs.

Mr. Mendenhall's love of basketball,  experience in news writing, and in finding sponsorships will aid the USADB organization in continuing to expand and flourish.  The USADB Executive Board looks forward to working with Mr. Mendenhall to take USADB to new levels of awareness and exposure. 

The Akron Club of the Deaf in Ohio sponsored the first national basketball tournament in 1945, at which time it was known as the American Athletic Union of the Deaf. The organization was later renamed the American Athletic Association of the Deaf, and in 1995, the basketball organization became known as USA Deaf Basketball (USADB).  Its purpose is to foster and regulate uniform rules of competition and provide social outlets for deaf basketball players and their friends; conduct annual local, regional, and national basketball competitions and youth camps; and assist in the selection and preparation of USA basketball teams in international competition.  USADB is affiliated with USA Deaf Sports Federation and USA Basketball.

All deaf and hard of hearing individuals with a hearing loss of 55dB or greater in the better ear are eligible to participate. The use of hearing aids is prohibited in competitions. US Team participants must be American citizens and members of the USADB and USADSF in good standing.

Contact: 
Shirley H. Platt
Commissioner
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