THE PEOPLE

Letters from the Hosts

Superintendent, Peter Bailey

Welcome to Homecoming 2025!

On behalf of the Texas School for the Deaf Governing Board, Alumni, and our entire TSD community, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Homecoming 2025, the Spike Out National Deaf Volleyball Tournament, and the National Deaf Cross-Country Tournament.

This year’s Homecoming is especially meaningful as it brings together our cherished TSD tradition with the excitement of national athletic competition. We are honored to host Deaf schools, student-athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the country here on our campus.

Homecoming has always been a time for connection, pride, and celebration. From spirited volleyball matches and cross-country races to the excitement of Homecoming booths, pre-game festivities, and the football game, this weekend is filled with opportunities to come together as one community. A highlight of the celebration will be honoring our past Homecoming Queens and Kings, and introducing this year’s Royalty during halftime.

To all of our guests and participants—thank you for being part of this special occasion. May this Homecoming be a weekend of lasting memories, spirited competition, and a true celebration of our unity as a Deaf community.

Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger. Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable Homecoming 2025!

TSDly yours,

Peter L. Bailey

Superintendent

Athletic Director, Chris Hamilton

Dear Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, and Friends of TSD,

On behalf of the Texas School for the Deaf Athletics Program, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to our first-ever TSD Homecoming Showdown Fest, a weekend that brings together three exciting events: the National Deaf Volleyball Tournament (Spike Out XXV, 25th edition) featuring eight Deaf schools, the National Deaf Cross Country Meet (NDCC III, 3rd Annual) with nine schools participating, and our beloved Homecoming festivities, highlighted this year by the first-ever 6-man football game between the New Mexico School for the Deaf and Texas School for the Deaf. All of this will take place during the weekend of October 3–4, 2025, promising a buzzing, fun-filled celebration for everyone involved!

Our annual Homecoming is a special opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and celebrate the traditions that unite us. For those who grew up at TSD, welcome home!

We look forward to a safe, spirited, and sportsmanlike weekend filled with fellowship, friendship, and celebration.

An event of this magnitude, especially so early in the school year, is only possible through extraordinary teamwork. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the TSD Homecoming Showdown Fest core committee, subcommittees, and all volunteers for their countless hours of dedication. We are also deeply thankful to our sponsors—TSD Booster Club, Gallaudet University, Sorenson, and ZP Better Together—for their generous support.

Thank you for supporting the Texas School for the Deaf and the Rangers Athletic Program. Let’s make this a truly one-of-a-kind TSD Homecoming Showdown Fest weekend!

Best Regards,

Chris Hamilton

Athletic Director

Event Leadership Team