Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf. Compiled & Written by Jodi B. Kinner Edited by Valerie G. Kinney

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1 Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf Compiled & Written by Jodi B. Kinner Edited by Valerie G. Kinney 2014

2 Note This Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf article is quoted directly from the Tenth Anniversary Celebration and Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf: 25 th Anniversary Celebration program books. 1

Discussion of starting the Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf (GSACD) began in the locker room of the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden in the fall of 1971.

A new club in Ogden would help save the Ogden players time and expenses of driving to Salt Lake City and back to Ogden. Leon Curtis and Dennis Platt began to organize the club.

3 Discussion of starting the Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf (GSACD) began in the locker room of the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden in the fall of A group of basketball players discussed having its own athletic club in the Ogden area since they had been with Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, located in Salt Lake City for many years. A new club in Ogden would help save the Ogden players time and expenses of driving to Salt Lake City and back to Ogden. Leon Curtis and Dennis Platt began to organize the club. Dennis suggested to name the after the region where Ogden was under Golden Spike Empire so the new club was called Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf (GSACD) (Tenth Anniversary G. Leon Curtis Celebration Program Book; Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf: 25 th Anniversary Celebration Program Book). The first meeting was set on January 20, 1972 at the Weber County Library. The members chose C. Roy Cochran as its first president, Ronald Johnston, vice president, Dennis Platt, secretary, and Tom Starkey, treasurer. They raised $25.00 the first night (Tenth Anniversary Celebration (Tenth Anniversary Celebration Program Book). Dennis Platt Similar to the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, GSACD became one of the well- 2

known clubs among other clubs throughout the NorthWest Athletic Association of the Deaf (NWAAD) region (Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, Northern California, and western Canada such as

GSACD offered many events for its members such as tournaments in horseshoe, volleyball, softball, and golf.

4 known clubs among other clubs throughout the NorthWest Athletic Association of the Deaf (NWAAD) region (Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, Northern California, and western Canada such as Vancouver, B.C. and Edmonton) (Tenth Anniversary Celebration Program Book). Additionally, GSACD was a faithful member of American Athletic Association of the Deaf. GSACD offered many events for its members such as tournaments in horseshoe, volleyball, softball, and golf. The club members, both men and women, participated in Ogden City softball league for many years with the purpose of preparing themselves for the annual NWAAD softball tournament (Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf 25 th Anniversary Celebration Program Book). When the NWAAD added a new sport, softball, UACD hosted the 1974 NWAAD softball tournament. GSACD went into the finals and played against the defending champion Seattle, lost and settled for second place (Tenth Anniversary Celebration Program Book). GSACD hosted five Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf tournaments 1978, 1986, 1992 and 1996 softball and 1980 basketball (Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf 25 th Anniversary Celebration Program Book). During the 1980 basketball tournament, GSACD lost the first game to Sacramento 57-54, when Nathaniel Cannon of GSACD poured 40 points into that game. It was the highest of that tournament. GSACD went on to win consolation trophy (5 th place). 3

5 Nathaniel Cannon made 92 total points for GSACD in the tournament games and made First Team NWAAD All-Star. He was one vote short from being the tournament MVP (Tenth Anniversary Celebration Program Book). In 1980, GSACD added two new annual tournaments, horseshoe and golf. Dennis Platt won both 1980 and 1981 golf tournaments (Tenth Anniversary Celebration Program Book). Eventually, GSACD offered recreation and socialization for families and athletes. The two objectives of this club were physical activities and sports for all ages. The monthly events were offered such as attending an ice hockey game, going tubing, roller skating, bowling, playing volleyball, basketball and softball, swimming, and camping. Sometimes the club members gathered for picnic outings, holiday parties, and movies. 4

6 Bibliography Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf: 25 th Anniversary Celebration. January 20, 1972 January 18, Tenth Anniversary Celebration: (1982, January, 23). Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf, Ogden Utah. 5

Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf. Compiled & Written by Jodi B. Kinner Edited by Valerie G. Kinney

Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf Compiled & Written by Jodi B. Kinner Edited by Valerie G. Kinney 2014 Note It is possible that the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf was created in 1945 after the first Far