History of Worcester Deaf Club, Inc.

1945- the very first unofficial meeting was held at the home of James Healy with 5 men attending wether to establish the club or not.

They have decided to establish the club.

1946- The official name of club was Worcester Deaf Club and had 35 members. The constitution and by-laws were adopted.

1947-The membership had grown to 45 people.

The Athletic Activities were established and became very active. One of its activities was to form basketball team.

1948- WDC got a Corporation Charter ( Inc.) from the Secretary of the State Department through the efforts and hard work by John Riccuiti's brother Joseph Riccuiti.

1949- WDC won its first basktball championship since its inception in 1947.

WDC's membership had expanded to 70.

1950- At the New England Athletic Association of the Deaf ( NEAAD ) meeting in Holyoke, WDC won its first bid to be the host for the 1952 NEAAD Basketball Tournament. The home team, WDC won its second championship in a row.

1951- Once again, WDC won the championship for the third year in a row. WDC Softball team won its first championship at the Eastern Athletic Association for the Deaf ( EAAD ) tournament in Hartford, Conn.

1952- the WDC team won its 4th basketball championship in a row.

1953- The members tallied up to 85.

1963- WDC finally accepted women as members after many years of rejection!

1966- The WDC took the championship title once again during the NEAAD Tournament after 14 years.

1967- The WDC once again won the championship title, it is 6th since 1949.

1977- WDC Women's Softball team was astablished with Marie Philip as coach. The women won second place.

1980- The WDC Men Softball won the championship for the first time. WDC has its own " New England Flash Newsletter for the Deaf". it was discontinued in 1983 due to financial problems.

1981 and 1986- The WDC Men Softball won championship.

1990- WDC voted its first female president, Diane Berry.

1991 WDC Women Basketball was established.

1992- WDC Women Basketball won its first championship.

1993- WDC Women's Baskbetball won its second championship.

1993- 1995-WDC’s Women's Basketball team won four championships in a row.

1996-2004—WDC’s Women’s Basketball won seven championships before the team went on hiatus until 2012, when the team was again reinstated.

2010—WDC hosted their 1^st Annual Craft Fair which had a good turnout of vendors and shoppers, convincing us to have a 2^nd Annual Craft Fair in 2011; it is now one of our annual events.

Since 1950, we have had an annual Christmas Party, which was first established in 1950 on Austin Street and continues to occur there today; this December will be our 62^nd Annual Christmas Event!

Present--we have our general meetings and socials at St. Matthews Church and College of the Holy Cross, which are both in Worcester.   We also will have our annual Picnic that will be held in July.  Please watch for all of our upcoming socials included in the program book. 

Do come and join us. New members are always welcome!