ASL Sports Night

A large group of diverse people, including children and adults, gathered on a basketball court inside an arena, posing for a group photo with empty seats and electronic banners in the background.

What is ASL Sports Night?

ASL Sports Night is Deaf Florida’s flagship program - bringing the community together at live sporting events across Florida in a welcoming, accessible, and celebratory environment.

Partnering with major Florida sports organizations, each ASL Sports Night features ASL interpretation, a Deaf Performer for the National Anthem, fan experience, community gathering, and a shared experience that reminds us al that inclusion belongs in every arena.

More than just a night out - it is a movement. Every event builds visibility, strengthens community bonds, and sends a powerful message to organizations across Florida that the Deaf community shows up, engages, and deserves a seat at the table.

From the Orlando Magic to the Inter Miami, Tampa Bay Lightning to the Jacksonville Jaguars - Deaf Florida is proud to bring our community to the Sunshine State.

Two men standing on a basketball court inside a sports arena, smiling at the camera. One is wearing a black polo shirt and jeans, the other a black jacket and light-colored pants. There are other people and photographers in the background, with large screens displaying images and information overhead.

What is an ASL Sports Night Ambassador?

An ASL Sports Night Ambassador is a dedicated community leader who serves as the primary point of contact between Deaf Florida, Inc. and a partnering sports or entertainment organization. Each Ambassador is passionate about Deaf culture, American Sign Language, and creating inclusive experiences for the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind community.

ASL Sports Night Ambassadors are responsible for:

Building relationships with their assigned partner organization to ensure the Deaf community feels welcomed, represented, and valued at every event.
Coordinating ASL Nights and accessibility initiatives, including interpreter placement, captioning services, and community outreach leading up to events.
Serving as a community connector, helping to grow attendance and engagement by spreading the word through local Deaf networks, social media, and word of mouth.
Providing feedback to Deaf Florida leadership on what is working, what can be improved, and what the community needs most from each partner organization.
Representing Deaf Florida's mission and values with professionalism, warmth, and a heart for service.

ASL Sports Night Ambassadors are the heartbeat of Deaf Florida's statewide reach, empowering local leaders to own their community relationships and create lasting impact, one organization at a time.

Photo Description: Joel Ortiz, Deaf performer and ASL National Anthem artist, and Brian Steinhoff, Founder of Deaf Florida, Inc., stand together on the court at the KIA Center in Orlando, Florida, during the 5th Annual ASL Night hosted in partnership with the Orlando Magic. The photo captures a milestone moment in Deaf Florida's ongoing mission to bring ASL accessibility and Deaf representation to Florida's professional sports community.

Alt Text: Two men stand smiling on the basketball court at the KIA Center in Orlando, Florida. The Orlando Magic logo is visible on the court floor behind them. The arena scoreboard and blue LED displays are lit up in the background. This photo was taken during the 5th Annual ASL Night with the Orlando Magic, featuring Joel Ortiz, Deaf ASL National Anthem performer, and Brian Steinhoff, Founder of Deaf Florida, Inc.

Meet the ASL Sports Night Ambassadors

Yael Bautista

VACANT

A woman with short blond hair wearing a sleeveless orange top and beige wide-legged pants sitting on a bench, writing in a notebook, with a large green plant nearby and framed artwork in the background.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a sleeveless rust-colored top and beige wide-legged pants sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen. There is a large green plant on her left, a beige wall behind her with light casting shadows, and a framed art piece with abstract shapes leaning against the wall.

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A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless rust-colored top and beige pants, sitting on a bench with her legs crossed, writing in a notebook with a pen, indoors near a large plant and framed artwork.

A woman with short blonde hair sitting on a bench while writing in a notebook, wearing a sleeveless orange top and beige pants, with a large green plant to her left and a framed artwork and wooden panel behind her.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a sleeveless orange ribbed top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook. Behind her is a large green plant, a wooden wall, and a framed abstract art piece with tan, white, and black colors.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing an orange sleeveless top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige cushioned bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen. Behind her is a large plant with green leaves, a framed abstract art piece, and a wooden accent wall.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a sleeveless orange top and beige wide-legged pants, sitting on a bench writing in a notebook with a gold pen. There is a green plant on her left and a framed artwork with beige and brown abstract design behind her. She is sitting indoors with soft natural light coming through a window.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a sleeveless orange ribbed top and beige pants, sitting on a beige cushioned bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen, in a room with a potted plant, wooden wall panels, and a framed print.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless rust-colored top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige cushioned bench, writing in a notebook. A large green plant is visible on the left, and a framed print with stylized letters is behind her. The lighting is soft, with a shadow cast on the wall.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing an orange sleeveless top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook in a room with a plant and a framed artwork.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a sleeveless rust-colored top and beige pants, sitting on a beige cushioned bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen. There is a large green leafy plant on her left, a framed artwork with abstract shapes behind her, and wooden wall paneling on her right.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless orange top and beige wide-legged pants, sitting on a beige cushion and writing in a notebook. Behind her is a large green plant, a framed artwork with abstract shapes, and wooden wall panels.

Woman with short blonde hair, wearing a rust-colored sleeveless top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige cushioned bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen, in a room with minimal decor, a large green plant on the left, and framed artwork behind her.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless orange top and beige pants, sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook with a pen, in a room with minimal decor including a plant and a framed piece of abstract art.

VACANT

A man playing a saxophone on a basketball court with a woman standing nearby, and a crowd in the background at an event with bright stage lighting.

What is a National Anthem Performer in ASL?

A National Anthem Performer in ASL is a skilled and expressive American Sign Language artist who performs the National Anthem in ASL alongside a live vocal or instrumental performance at a professional sports or entertainment event. This role brings visibility and representation to the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind community on one of the most prominent stages in sports and entertainment.

The National Anthem Performer in ASL:

Interprets the National Anthem in American Sign Language with artistry, accuracy, and cultural authenticity, ensuring the Deaf community experiences the full emotional weight of the performance.
Performs in front of thousands of fans on the arena floor, making a powerful statement that Deaf culture and ASL belong in mainstream sports and entertainment spaces.
Serves as a cultural ambassador for the Deaf community, demonstrating the beauty and expressiveness of American Sign Language to hearing audiences who may be experiencing ASL performance for the first time.
Collaborates with Deaf Florida, Inc. to ensure performance aligns with the mission of accessibility, inclusion, and Deaf representation across all partnering organizations.
Inspires Deaf youth and community members by showing that Deaf performers have a place and a spotlight in the world of professional sports.

The National Anthem performance in ASL is often the most visible and memorable moment of any ASL Night event, serving as a powerful reminder that inclusion is not just a value … it is a practice.

Photo Description: Katie Valle, ASL interpreter and Deaf community advocate, performs the National Anthem in American Sign Language alongside a saxophonist on the court at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, during the 1st Annual ASL Night hosted in partnership with the Miami Heat. The packed arena crowd looks on as the two performers bring the National Anthem to life in music and in sign, marking a historic first for Deaf Florida, Inc. and the Miami Heat organization.

Alt Text: A woman in a white shirt and black pants signs the National Anthem in American Sign Language on the basketball court at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Beside her, a man dressed in a custom black and red suit plays a red saxophone. The arena is filled with thousands of fans, with dramatic stage lighting and the Miami Heat flame logo visible in the background. This photo was taken during the 1st Annual ASL Night with the Miami Heat, featuring ASL performer Katie Valle alongside a live instrumental performance of the National Anthem.

Meet the National Anthem Performer

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a sleeveless orange striped top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige bench with wooden legs, writing in a notebook, with a large green plant and a framed artwork in the background.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless rust-colored top and beige pants, sitting on a bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen, in a modern interior with a large green plant and framed artwork.

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A woman with short blonde hair, wearing an orange sleeveless top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook, with a large green plant on her left and a framed abstract art piece behind her, in a minimalistic, modern interior

Katie Valle

VACANT

A woman with short blonde hair sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen, in a modern indoor setting with green plant, artwork, and wooden panel decor.

A woman with short blond hair sitting on a beige cushioned bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen in a well-lit room with a large green plant and framed artwork.

VACANT

Joel Ortiz

VACANT

A young woman with short blonde hair sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook. She is wearing a sleeveless, ribbed, burnt-orange top and beige wide-leg pants. There is a large green plant to her left and a framed abstract art piece on her right. Sunlight creates shadows on the wall behind her.

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Illustration of a jaguar's head with blue eyes and open mouth against a black background.

A woman with short blonde hair sitting on a beige bench, writing in a notebook with a gold pen. She is wearing a sleeveless brown top and beige wide-leg pants. Behind her, there is a large green plant, a wooden panel, and a framed artwork with stylized text.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless rust-colored top and beige wide-leg pants, sitting on a bench and writing in a notebook. There is a large green plant on the left, a framed artwork with beige letters on the right, and a wooden wall detail behind her.

VACANT

A woman with short blonde hair sitting on a beige bench, wearing a rust-colored sleeveless ribbed top and beige wide-leg pants, writing in a notebook with a gold pen, with green plants and framed artwork in the background.

A woman with short blonde hair and a sleeveless orange top sitting on a bench, writing in a notebook, with a large plant on her left and a framed artwork on her right.

A young woman with short blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless orange top and beige pants, sitting on a bench and writing in a notebook. There is a large houseplant to her left and a framed art piece behind her with abstract shapes.

A man with gray hair and beard wearing a black shirt standing on a basketball court with a crowd and team members in the background.

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Are You Interested in Becoming an

ASL Sports Night Ambassador

or National Anthem Performer in ASL?

Say no more! See below this and fill out the application for your spot today.

These roles are a true honor and are taken seriously by Deaf Florida, Inc. Each application is carefully reviewed by the Deaf Florida Board of Directors, and selected candidates will be contacted for a potential interview. We are looking for individuals who are passionate, committed, and ready to represent the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind community with excellence and pride.

We look forward to hearing from you.

ASL Sports Night Ambassador Application

National Anthem Performer Application