If you are a fan of NCAA basketball March Madness, you probably already know about the deaf player that is currently in the news: Michael Lizarraga. He is said to be possibly the first deaf player in the NCAA tournament. Lizarraga, a graduate of California School for the Deaf Fremont, is either the focus of or mentioned in the following articles:
- Los Angeles Times - mention of him.
- Mercury News - He is the focus. Article also says he has a Facebook page.
Another deaf person currently in the news - mostly through deaf blogs - is Luke Adams who is competing together with his mother, on "Amazing Race."
Inaccuracy is the norm with mainstream and deaf media covering the deaf not to mention the deaf inaccurately reporting to the mainstream and deaf media. In the 1952-53 season DePaul University in Chicago featured Bill Schyman the first deaf player to participate in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament. He was a key player on his contending team which won and lost once each in reaching the regional semifinal before losing a regional consolation game.
I add that I happened to be in town and realized two opportunities to witness Mike play in what was his first and second-ever high school varsity basketball games way back in mid-November 2003 against Liberty Baptist and Fremont Christian. The way Mike scored the team’s first points of the season was a sight to behold. I’m one who’s reputed to be discriminating in evaluating athletic talent. I never water-down. That particular night I saw something special in Mike.