Letters from the Hosts

Director Sarah McGaughey

Rhode Island School for the Deaf is honored to be part of the ESDAA and excited to host the Division II Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament. It is a pleasure to welcome athletes, coaches, families, and school communities from Massachusetts, Delaware, New York, and Rhode Island, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.

We are thrilled to host you at RISD in Providence for a weekend that celebrates athletic excellence and teamwork, and the strong connections within our Deaf school community. Events like this tournament showcase not only skill on the court, but also leadership, pride, and sportsmanship among our student-athletes.

Our students and staff have worked with great enthusiasm to prepare for this event, and we are proud to welcome you to our campus for what promises to be an exciting and memorable competition.

Whether you are cheering from the stands or joining us from afar through livestreams and social media, we invite you to be part of the excitement throughout the tournament.

We wish all teams the best of luck and look forward to a fantastic ESDAA Division II tournament!

Sarah McGaughey

Director

Rhode Island School for the Deaf

Athletic Director Leonardo Gutierrez

Leading with Vision, Growing with Passion.

Welcome to the 64th Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association Division II Boys & Girls Basketball Championship, proudly hosted by the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.

Historically, the ESDAA Basketball Championship has been held as two separate tournaments, one for boys and one for girls. This year marks a special moment in ESDAA history as we proudly bring both the boys’ and girls’ championships together at RISD, united in one weekend and one shared experience.

One Ball. One Team. One Heart. One Tournament.

As Athletic Director, it is an honor to welcome student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans to our campus. To our student-athletes: your dedication, perseverance, and love for the game inspire us all. To our coaches and staff: thank you for your leadership, mentorship, and commitment. And to our families, friends, and supporters: your encouragement and Rooster Pride help make this championship possible.

May this tournament be filled with exciting competition, unforgettable moments, new friendships, and reunions with familiar faces—both on and off the court. Thank you for being part of the 64th ESDAA Division II Basketball Championship. Let’s enjoy the games.

With Rooster Pride,
Leonardo Gutierrez
Director of Athletics and After-School Programs
Rhode Island School for the Deaf