#WEREFTOO – Chris DiSanto, Elite Basketball and Softball Official

Disability/Super Power – Loss of hearing, Deaf.

Meet Chris DiSanto, Elite Basketball and Softball College Official. I had the pleasure to work with him twice, but the first time opened my eyes. We had a high-level girls game, in which he handled his biz. Here is my interview with Chris:

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” – Arthur C. Clarke

Describe your childhood. How did you lose your hearing? How did it affect your upbringing? What were the challenges? How did other people treat you? Your parents/ your peers? Teachers?

I was born with hearing and when I was two years old, I got really sick from Spinal Meningitis and I became deaf.  I grew up in both worlds (both hearing and deaf). I went to a deaf school with all deaf peers. I took speech classes, (speaking and lip reading) and used sign language. I joined different organizations outside of school- church leagues, cub scouts, boy scouts, etc. The challenge was to understand them without using sign language and to depend on lip reading. I have made friends over the years. As far as I remember growing up, they treated me as an EQUAL, and gave me the opportunity to show what I can do, and what I was made of.

What is your relationship with sports while growing up? Did you play basketball? Any other sports?

I grew up with a tremendous love for sports! I didn’t care what kind of peers I was playing with or what sports teams I was on- I just wanted to play and have fun!  I fell in love and I wanted to be an athlete. I played on soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, wrestling, tennis, baseball teams, just to name a few!

How did you get into officiating? Please explain your journey for both Basketball and Softball?

I had once thought about becoming an official while I was in college. At that time I was telling myself, ‘nah you cannot do it because you’re deaf’- but I forgot about it. After, I learned that my friend who is deaf is a softball umpire and a basketball official. He was telling me that I can become one as well. I took the softball umpire class and I passed. I officiated some games and started to build up my knowledge and confidence on the field. Umpire high school and the college level.

A couple of years later, my sister and I took basketball official class- I thought I knew basketball- my sister passed and I didn’t. I had to take class again the following year and I passed the test, but I failed the floor performance test. An instructor took me under his wing the following year- I took the floor performance test and I passed, finally. I coached a boy’s basketball at the same time, so I didn’t have much free time to officiate.  I continued to umpire softball every spring, and went to the clinic to improve myself.

A couple of years later, I met a group of deaf basketball officials- and that opened my eyes into the world of a basketball official. The communication was 100 percent in sign language, they gave me feedback on my performance on the court, tips, etc. I joined an organization- Deaf Basketball Officials, Inc.

That was the turning point of my career as an official. I learned about basketball camps and softball clinics. I decided to go because I wanted to be the best official I can be, learn more, understand better, move up the ladder, and get my name out there.  Along this journey, I met many good officials (became friends), and developed a network. I officiate at the high school and college level (both basketball and softball), but I am not done yet, I still have a dreams to accomplish, and go further.

What are the challenges to elevate within each respective sport with regard to your disability?

 The challenges – with no hearing, I depend on my eyes to understand what was going on around me, the lectures, the discussions and the atmosphere. I will not always collect 100 % of the information that was shared in a classroom or clinic, I had to dig myself out and collect that information any way I could. When I have an interpreter(s) for the classroom lecture or clinics- I have 100 % access to understand the information.

It is the attitude and motivation that I have as a deaf person and I keep pushing myself to my maximum performance ability in games, camps and clinics.

What are the advantages of being deaf while officiating?

I can focus on the game without having to listen to the crowds or coaches reactions. The ears are my eyes. I see everything that is in front of me.  

How would someone go about being an official with a disability? What advice would you give them?

I would encourage an individual to become an official.  It is not easy out there. Being a role model for the deaf and hard of hearing people. If I can do it, they can do it.

 The advice I would give is:

Study hard, know the rules, watch videos, go to clinics/camps, go to many games and watch officials’ performance, develop a network, get a mentor, meet other officials, and work extra hard.

What are your best and worst experiences officiating basketball?

The best experience – every time I walk on the court with my partner(s) and the game I love.  It is an opportunity every time. Be able to work with partner(s) you met at the camp or clinics.

The worst experience- I don’t really have the worst experience but when the season is over and I have to wait till next year.

What are your best and worst experiences officiating softball?

The best experience – every time I walk on the field with my partner(s) and the game I love.  It is fun to umpire.  The worst experience- It is when I must deal with the cold weather or the heat.

Until tomorrow.