Indy Hawks Legends – Billy Schwall

6’4 Forward Billy Schwall played for the GIDC Hawks for six seasons. He was a valuable and versatile contributor who played all positions. Schwall was a sometime starter and a strong contributor off the bench. During his tenure, he played on 6 CAAD Championship teams, along with being part of the 2008 team that captured the USADB crown his last season. He currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Indy Hawks Legends – Darryl Thomas

Daryl Thomas – a 6’8 center, played for the GIDC Hawks during the 2004-05 basketball season. He averaged a steady 12 points and 8 rebounds a game that season in helping lead the Hawks to the 2005 championship game, where they lost to Dynamingle, California by 4 points, 66-62. Thomas’ contributions were not limited to on-court performances. His gentlemanly manner off the court also influenced many young Hawks players. His being named to the 2005 Deaflympics team was also a big honor for him, as well as the team. After the season, he retired and moved to the Memphis, Tennessee area.

a short stroll down history lane

2005 CAAD Champions

 These teams were national USADB runners-up to Dynamingle in the 2005 and 2006 seasons respectively. Both teams were very skilled and consisted of experienced veterans and Deaflympics players who captured the Gold in the 2005 Melbourne Deaflympics. The starting five in 2005 were Stringfellow, Wilson and Westhoelter at guards and Bippus and Thomas inside the posts. The 2006 edition was the same with Cueto replacing Thomas, who retired. It was a change for our opponents who were used to facing the 6’8 Thomas to suddenly be challenged with the pit-bull Cueto inside the post, all 6 feet of him.

Both losses to Dynamingle were sandwiched around a February victory over Dynamingle in Indianapolis. Dynamingle featured the four Valencia brothers and Jimmy Newsome – a veritable dynasty that won three consecutive USADB championships from 2004 to 2006. Dynamingle later became involved with the NDBO and have captured the past three titles there, as well.

 

2006 CAAD Champions

Both teams won consecutive CAAD Championships over the WSAD Orange, who featured  young and talented teams. Keith Westhoelter was the CAAD MVP both seasons. Both teams also played straight-up man to man defenses, combined with a fast-breaking offense that ran every time the ball was in possession. PG Shawn Stringfellow kept a steady hand running the team those seasons while F Brian Bippus continued to man the high-post.