Ruth Taubert Seeger

1988 Inductee
Athletics
(1924-2014)

Ruth Taubert Seeger’s contributions to sports, her students, and the role model she has established for thousands of deaf children, are immeasurable. She strived to be like the famous woman athlete, Babe Didrickson.

As a high school student at the Minnesota School for the Deaf, Ruth was a superb athlete, excelling in numerous sporting events. Upon graduation Ruth looked for a higher educational opportunity that would allow her to accomplish her desire to become a successful coach and help others accomplish their athletic goals. For five years Ruth attended Gallaudet College where she participated in various sporting events as a member of the Women’s Athletic Association.

Upon graduation from Gallaudet College, Ruth’s contributions to the world of deaf athletes were only the beginning. In 1957 she became the first deaf American woman to compete for the United States in the track and field division. She also competed in the mixed doubles tennis competition, earning a bronze medal for the U.S. Ruth organized the first Texas School for the Deaf track team for girls in 1963. In 1973 she organized the first TSD volleyball team, after winning several championships as a player with the Austin Club for the Deaf. In 1986 she organized the first TSD softball team.

Throughout her coaching career Ruth’s girls have accumulated a total of 27 medals at the World Games for the Deaf. She was the United States Women’s track coach in 1965, 1969, 1973, 1977 and 1985. In 1975 she served as the women’s coach at the Pan American Games for the Deaf. Her top athlete, Ophelia Henry, earned three medals at the Pan American Games that year.

In 2002 Ms. Seeger participated in the Senior Games of San Antonio and won first place in the age 75-79 categories of the Field Shot Put, Field Discus, Javelin, Long Jump and High Jump competitions.