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A young gentleman, Art Kruger returned to Gallaudet to start his senior year in the fall of '32. He has always organize sporting events while he was student. In 1938, Kruger stepped up and organize national tournaments of schools for the Deaf. Then he turned his attention to deaf clubs with a very small financial support. He put together a deaf club regional basketball tournament in New York City. During the World War II, the family decided to move to Akron, Ohio. Akron, with its large manufacturing industry, became a sort of mecca for deaf community. As income improved, larger contributions to the clubs could have made by members. The growing treasuries provided the funds the First National Club of the Deaf Basketball Tournament was held in Akron, with none other than Art Kruger as chairman. Teams from all over the country converged on the city, and Kruger was the magnet that brought them all together. The fact that the tournament happened in April seemed fitting.
Art Kruger as its founder and first president of AAAD and FAAD. With his experiences from Gallaudet, Kruger drafted laws and procedures and established a network of seven regional organizations. The AAAD served as the governing body for the seven regions. Rules and regulations were drawn in an effort to enhacne the quality of play for both players and spectators.
When the war ended, Art Kruger and his wife moved to Los Angeles, where the "action" now was. Farwest Athletic Association of the Deaf was born. He became the first president of farwest region.
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