- Clerc Classic
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The Clerc Classic Basketball Tournament originated at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in 2000 under Athletic Director, Michael Weinstock,who envisioned a national basketball tournament bringing together outstanding athletes from top Deaf schools to one site and let them claim the championship. The tournament typically to occur during the second weekend of January. The school who wins that year's tournament often win the year's Deaf Prep National Championship.
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Who was Laurent Clerc?
Laurent Clerc was born on December 26, 1785. An accident struck him at a young age: one side of his face was burnt after he fell into a fireplace. The fever resulting from the burnt ended with Clerc becoming Deaf.
Clerc had such devoted parents who sought various medicinal cures before learning about the Royal Institution for the Deaf in Paris, France. Clerc’s parents enrolled him at the school where he was put under the guidance of the school’s director, Abbe Roche-Ambroise Sicard. The school utilized sign language as the language of instruction which allowed many of Clerc’s hidden talents to emerge.
Clerc completed his study in seven years and was rewarded with the position of assistant teacher, in charge of the highest class at the Institution. He eventually moved up as teacher.
An event happened in 1816 during Clerc’s eight year of teaching which changed his life forever. He met a young idealist from America, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, who was searching for an educational system for the Deaf. Gallaudet then observed Clerc working with students during numerous situations. Gallaudet ultimately asked Clerc to help him established the first school for the Deaf in America.
Clerc accepted and bade farewell to his family, friends, and boss. Gallaudet and Clerc set sail from France on June 18, 1816. During the 52-day voyage, they continued to share their knowledge with each other. Upon arrival in America, Clerc and Gallaudet began fundraising efforts by having Clerc present on instruction methods for the Deaf with Gallaudet assisting as interpreter. They traveled along the east coast, from Boston to Philadelphia, for nearly seven months. They taught and interviewed parents of Deaf children, garnering community support at the same time. Their efforts paid off with the establishment of the first school for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut on April 15, 1817. Clerc taught there for the next 41 years providing lessons in sign language and teacher training.
Clerc married a former pupil, Elizabeth Broadman, and fathered four children. Clerc died on July 18, 1869.
Our lives as Deaf people nowadays would not have been possible without Laurent Clerc. As the first Deaf teacher in America, he contributed greatly towards the development of our language, American Sign language and our education!
Host Sites
Clerc Classic I (2000) - Model Secondary School for the Deaf (Washington D.C.)
Clerc Classic II (2001) - Model Secondary School for the Deaf (Washington D.C.)
Clerc Classic III (2002) - California School for the Deaf, Fremont (Fremont, CA)
Clerc Classic IV (2003) - Indiana School for the Deaf (Indianapolis, IN)
Clerc Classic V (2004) - Maryland School for the Deaf (Frederick, MD)
Clerc Classic VI (2006) - California School for the Deaf, Riverside (Riverside, CA)
Clerc Classic VII (2007) - Model Secondary School for the Deaf (Washington D.C.)
Clerc Classic VIII (2008) - Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (Faribault, MN)
Clerc Classic IX (2009) - Maryland School for the Deaf (Frederick, MD)
Clerc Classic X (2010) - California School for the Deaf, Fremont (Fremont, CA)
Clerc Classic XI (2011) - Texas School for the Deaf (Austin, TX)
Clerc Classic XII (2012) - Indiana School for the Deaf (Indianapolis, IN)History of the Tournament
Clerc Classic I
Clerc Classic II Logo
Boys Champions: Phoenix Day School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: California School for the Deaf, FremontClerc Classic III
Boys Champions: Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Maryland School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Model Secondary School for the DeafClerc Classic IV
Clerc Classic IV LogoBoys Champions: Indiana School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Maryland School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Indiana School for the DeafClerc Classic V
Boys Champions: Indiana School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Maryland School for the DeafClerc Classic VI
Clerc Classic VI Logo (California School for the Deaf, Riverside)Boys Champions: California School for the Deaf, Fremont
Girls Champions: Indiana School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Maryland School for the DeafClerc Classic VII
Boys Champions: Maryland School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: California School for the Deaf, RiversideClerc Classic VIII
Boys Champions: Indiana School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Texas School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Model Secondary School for the DeafClerc Classic IX
Boys Champions: Indiana School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: California School for the Deaf, RiversideClerc Classic X
Clerc Classic X Logo (California School for the Deaf, Fremont)Boys Champions: Maryland School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Maryland School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Indiana School for the DeafClerc Classic XI
Boys Champions: Maryland School for the Deaf
Girls Champions: Indiana School for the Deaf
Cheerleading Champions: Model Secondary School for the DeafExternal links
- http://www.csdf.k12.ca.us/athletics/clerc10/ The Official Clerc Classic X Tournament Website.
Categories:- Basketball competitions in the United States
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