WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University athletics is proud to participate in the annual NCAA Division III Week (April 7-13) to celebrate the impact athletics and Bison student-athletes have on our campus and the surrounding community. GU is joining 429 Division III institutions and 42 voting conferences in this week's celebration.

To help focus on the many student-athletes that represent Gallaudet athletics we will spotlight several student-athletes each day this week that are on a GU 2024-25 Division III sport teams. You will learn more about them as they express their feelings on what it is like to be a Division III student-athlete here at Gallaudet. Interviews were conducted by Gallaudet Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant Pia Garreffa.

Sophomore Elian Zfati (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is a first-year student-athlete in the men's volleyball program. Zfati majors in International Studies and is expected to graduate in May 2027.

In My Own Words: Elian Zfati (Men's Volleyball)

What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
EZ: Being a student-athlete means juggling sports and schoolwork, which can be tough but teaches great time management and commitment. Having a self-discipline mentality every day is the key to a successful student-athlete.
 
What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
EZ: At Gallaudet, student-athletes experience a strong sense of community where everyone communicates in American Sign Language (ASL), making it a unique and supportive environment. As a student-athlete at a university with 100 percent full access to my first language has made it easier for me to navigate my journey at Gallaudet. With that being said, the deaf community is very strong on the campus and the unity does push me to persevere at my top performance as a scholar and athlete.
 
How does it feel to represent Gallaudet's first men's volleyball team since 2013?
EZ: Representing Gallaudet's first men's volleyball team since 2013 is a significant honor, as it means being part of a new chapter in the university's sports history. Being part of the 2025 team, I carry the pride of re-establishing the team, and the experience likely comes with a strong sense of responsibility to build a legacy and inspire future generations of student-athletes at Gallaudet.
 
How has being on the men's national deaf volleyball team prepared you to play for Gallaudet?
EZ: Playing on the men's national deaf volleyball team provides invaluable experience, including exposure to high-level competition, teamwork, and leadership. This experience gave me a competitive edge and a strong foundation for succeeding at Gallaudet, where I could apply the skills and discipline learned at the national level to help elevate the team and represent the university with pride!

2025 Division III Week Student-Athlete Spotlight: In My Words
Saturday: Elian Zfati (Men's Volleyball)
Friday: Carter Johnson (Football) | Olivia Armstrong (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Thursday: KaVargio Smith (Men's Track & Field) | Nicole Hicks (Women's Volleyball)
Wednesday: Stokely Karp (Men's Soccer) | Thea Wrenn (Women's Swimming)
Tuesday: Jay Yang (Men's Cross Country) | Alex Wilding (Men's Swimming)
Monday: Kyle Florio (Men's Basketball) | Joy Watkins (Women's Track & Field)

About Division III Week
Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement. For more information log onto https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/15/division-iii-week.aspx.

About Gallaudet
Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world. For more information about Gallaudet University please log onto www.gallaudet.edu and visit the Bison athletics homepage at www.gallaudetbison.com.