#USA #Portland #USA Deaf Sports #University of Western States #Deaflympics

University of Western States Partners with USA Deaf Sports Federation for 2025 Deaflympics

The University of Western States (UWS) proudly announces a new partnership with the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) aimed at delivering comprehensive sport and performance psychology services for the U.S. athletes participating in the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan. This significant collaboration highlights UWS's dedication to excellence in sport and performance psychology, while concurrently providing its students with valuable hands-on learning opportunities by allowing them to work with elite athletes.

Leading this dedicated initiative will be Dr. Becky Clark, a three-time Deaflympian and gold medalist, who will oversee the USA Performance Psychology Team. This team is dedicated to equipping athletes with research-based strategies that optimize their performance and mental health, ensuring they are well-prepared for the competition on an international stage.

Dr. Nathan Long, president of UWS, expressed the importance of this partnership, stating, "This collaboration is a distinctive opportunity to offer our students immersive training and knowledge, enhancing our efforts to address the neglected mental performance necessities of deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. We feel privileged to assist the U.S. team in gaining the mental and emotional resources they need to excel during the Deaflympics."

The program will consist of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including certified mental performance consultants and licensed therapists. Five doctoral students specializing in sport and performance psychology from UWS will also play an integral role by providing both virtual and on-site support to athletes throughout 2025 and during the Games in Tokyo. The services rendered will encompass individual mental performance consultations, group training sessions, and mental healthcare support tailored to the athletes' needs.

This partnership reflects a commitment shared by both UWS and USADSF to enhance performance psychology and address mental health in groups that have historically been underrepresented in the realm of Deaf Sports. Jeffrey Mansfield, president of the USA Deaf Sports Federation, commented on the significance of the collaboration, noting, "This alliance with UWS marks a crucial advancement in the support of our athletes' mental performance and mental well-being. By utilizing UWS's expertise, we aspire to empower our athletes with essential knowledge and tools necessary for success while fostering resilience necessary to tackle challenges that arise during competition."

A vital aspect of the program will focus on not only providing services to athletes but also augmenting UWS students' cultural competence in understanding Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), and developing strategies to mitigate communication barriers. This collaborative effort offers students a unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience while earning academic credits, with participation being recognized as an exceptional study abroad experience for the 2025 academic year.

Alongside Dr. Clark, UWS faculty members Dr. Sarah Castillo and Dr. Gily Meir will contribute their vast expertise in sport and performance psychology to support this initiative. Additionally, the involvement of Skip Flanagan, a UWS doctoral student and co-founder of the National Deaf Athlete Center, with a background as a former professional baseball player, enriches the program's overall impact.

Dr. Clark emphasized, "This initiative provides an unprecedented level of support for the performance and mental well-being of Deaflympians. We are profoundly devoted to assisting these talented athletes in optimizing both their performance capabilities and mental health whilst ensuring they present their best selves at this prestigious global platform."

To discover more about University of Western States and its offerings, please visit UWS.edu.

About University of Western States

Established in 1904 in Portland, Oregon, UWS is an independent nonprofit university known for its distinguished programs in chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, clinical nutrition, sports medicine, and performance psychology. As the second-oldest chiropractic college globally, UWS prides itself on its commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible education. To learn more, visit UWS.edu.

About USA Deaf Sports Federation

The USADSF serves as the national governing body for deaf sports in the U.S., representing the nation to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. Their mission is focused on empowering the USA Deaflympic and Deaf National Teams to reach their maximum competitive potential. For more insights, visit usdeafsports.org.