Longtime Deaf Sports Leader Jerald Jordan Dies
SIOUX FALLS, SD — March 29, 2008 — Jerald Jordan, who served in many different roles with the national and international deaf sports organizations, has died. He was 80.
The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) released a statement yesterday, announcing Jordan's death last Wednesday March 26 after a year-long battle with lung cancer.
Jordan chaired the successful 1965 International Games for the Deaf in Washington, DC and led ICSD as its president from 1971 to 1995. Recognizing his efforts to promote sports for the deaf and hard of hearing, the International Olympic Committee awarded him the Olympic Order, the highest award of the Olympic Movement.
Jordan was inducted into the AAAD/USADSF Hall of Fame in 1970 and last served USADSF as chair of its Governance Committee under President Bobbie Beth Scoggins from 1997 until 2005.
During the Deaf Sports Conference sponsored by USADSF at Gallaudet University last December 1st, Jordan came to share a few last words with the audience. Below is a video of his brief remarks.
Editor's note: The farewell video is 5:37 in length - initially it may take a while to load. As Jordan mentioned in his remarks about two videos in the Gallaudet video catalog, the first one is a June 3, 1980 interview with Drago Vukotic (35 minutes) and the second one is his personal interview conducted by Tiffany Granfors on April 18, 2007 (62 minutes).
Ever since "JJ" joined the USADSF family as a treasurer of the U.S. Team in 1957, his humble leadership and wisdom will be missed by friends in the deaf sports community here and abroad.
"Don't let the torch go out, please..."
TRANSCRIPT (Courtesy of Shirley H. Platt)
Larry Fleischer, USADSF President:
Who is the only deaf man in the world who has the honor of receiving the Olympic Order? Yes, it's JJ and of course, he would like to say a few words.
(Fleischer walks out of video camera's range, and Jerald Jordan walks into range and leans against the desk.)
Jerald Jordan, ICSD Honorary President:
Excuse me, my balance is terrible, so I need to lean on this desk, a third leg.
Many of you know me personally, right? (nodding) Since you were born or a baby? I changed some of your diapers? (No, just kidding.)
Ok, well I've been around for a long time. I started working in the old AAAD in 1957 and I've never left it since that day, up to now. During those many, many years of seeing lots of changes, unfortunately not all good, I've also seen changes in the world of deaf sports which was also a big part of my life--30 or so years. I've been to 24 Deaflympics, I've never missed one since 1961, and my goal is to see the 25th Deaflympics in Taipei, at least that's what I'm aiming for.
But, unfortunately some of you, many of you have heard that I'm not in good health. I have Stage 4 lung cancer which is not curable. So, realistically, I have one year left, actually less than a year because it's been almost a year already. I found out the diagnosis of lung cancer just before I went to the Salt Lake City (Winter) Deaflympics.
So...no, don't feel pity, no, I'm not trying to get your sympathy, no, I didn't say that. I've had a long life, and in a way it is good, because this way I have the opportunity to say goodbye to people I like and love. Most people don't get that opportunity; they suddenly die without saying a word!
Two more things...
One, for those of you who are interested, on the Gallaudet website - sorry, I don't know the URL, but I'm sure the folks who work at Gallaudet know where to find it. If you go to Video Library and type my name there, you will see 2 videos... interesting... one, which was much to my shock, because I had forgotten... I had interviewed the President of the World Federation of the Deaf, Drago Vukotic. It was old and a long time ago. I was quite surprised to see that video!
Anyway, second item, one year ago – actually less than a year ago – the Gallaudet TV crew came to my house and Tiffany Granfors interviewed me, so have about one hour of video that covers a lot of things: my life, Gallaudet and of course, a lot about CISS…sorry, it's still CISS to me (ICSD). So, if you're interested you might want to take a look at that.
So...I'm going to leave you with a last request... Don't let the torch go out, please. Thank you.
(Jerald Jordan walks out of video camera's range as the audience in the background clapped.)
Posted: March 29, 2008
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