I work some games in football and basketball for the Iowa School for the Deaf here in Council Bluffs, just across town from where I work. Being deaf myself, I make sure I have partners who are willing to be solid with their signals and mechanics when working their games. I usually find myself catching more grief from the deaf coaches (probably because I play against some of them in regional softball tournaments) than the hearing coaches.

One thing that tickles me, is I've had partners beg me to do the pre-game because I can sign. If it's the first time that partner works a game there with me, I will usually do the girls' pregame to allow my partner to become comfortable. Then, being a bit of a smarta** that I am, I'll tell my partner just before we go on the floor for the boys' pregame he's got it. They always have the deer in the headlights look, but I bail them out by having the coach from ISD interpret.