news

2022 Hall of Fame Inductee - Willard "Willy" Moers

USADSF Board member, Kevin Smith, the chair of the USADSF Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce one of the five 2022 Hall of Fame inductees.

A six-time Deaflympian, Willard “Willy” Lee Moers dominated the men's hammer throw for two decades, winning gold in the event at the 1981, 1985, 1989, 1997, and 2001 Deaflympics and a bronze at the 1993 Deaflympics—despite not picking up the discipline until after his collegiate career at Gallaudet.

Moers also excelled in the shot put, adding silver at the 1985 Los Angeles Deaflympics and a bronze at the 1993 Deaflympics in the event. In the discus throw, Moers claimed bronze medals at each of his six appearances at the Deaflympics. Moers retired from Deaflympic competition after the 2001 Deaflympics, having amassed fourteen medals (five gold, one silver, and eight bronze) over the course of his career.

“What Wendell Gaskin [2020 USADSF Hall of Fame inductee] did to track, Willy did to the field events,” remarked Thomas Withrow, the long-time former president of USA Deaf Track and Field. “It is really difficult to maintain this level of competition in throws over a 20-year period.”

At the 1981, 1985, and even the 1997 Deaflympics—when he was competing at 39 years old—Moers established new Deaflympic records.

Share this:
?>