January 31, 2012 > Western States Basketball & Cheerleading Classic at CSD Western States Basketball & Cheerleading Classic at CSD Submitted By Julie Rems-Smario The California School for the Deaf (CSD), Fremont, was proud to host the 32nd annual Western States Basketball and Cheerleading Classic January 26-28, 2012. CSD invited seven schools including its sister school in Riverside, Oregon School for the Deaf, Washington School for the Deaf, Utah School for the Deaf, Phoenix day School for the Deaf, Arizona School for the Deaf, and Marlton School of Los Angeles. In this tournament Deaf youth mingle with their peers from other schools before, during and after games. A unique aspect to this tournament is that almost everyone involved - players, referees, coaches, and cheerleaders - are Deaf. Students look forward to this opportunity to compete against their peers and communicate in their own language, American Sign Language. Additionally, the basketball players and cheerleaders are able to demonstrate their athletic abilities throughout the week. Participants enjoyed fun activities after the games including an interactive dog show. Western States Basketball and Cheerleading Classic is a great opportunity for participants to gather together and grow athletically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially without any language barriers in an atmosphere of positive sportsmanship. "The Western States Basketball and Cheerleading Classic is always a huge event for schools in the western states. We are very excited to host this tournament and fortunate to have full support from the entire community at CSD. It brings everyone together from students to administration to compete, make new friends and more importantly learn from each other," said Kevin Kovacs, High School Athletic Director. This year, the Superintendents and other administrative representatives from each Deaf school visited California School for the Deaf to meet with the school's newly appointed Superintendent, Sean Virnig. Virnig is the first Deaf Superintendent in the school's 152 years of history and is a graduate of this school. Tournament games were held in the gym. The cheerleading competition was held Friday, January 27 with a performance by Lou Mack's Cool Dogs during the halftime; championship games Saturday, January 28. For more information, visit www.CSDEagles.com