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Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

Settles Gym 2 View full image
Settles Gym View full image
Settles Gym in the 1950s View full image
Settles Gym in the 1970s View full image
Settles Gym in the 1990s View full image
FSDB Girls Varsity Basketball Team 2023-24 View full image

Settles Gym

Settles Gymnasium was built in 1953 and is named for Dr. Clarence J. Settles, who served as the ninth President of FSDB (1932-1952). It currently houses the Athletics and Physical Education Departments. The gym supports volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and goalball.

About Dr. Clarence J. Settles

Clarence J. Settles PortraitDr. Clarence J. Settles was appointed as the ninth president (1932-1952). The school flourished and during his tenure, and the number of students increased from around 300 to 500. Sign language was not permitted in classrooms; students used speech and finger spelling. Prior to coming to FSDB, Settles taught at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, served as head of both the Arizona and Idaho schools for the deaf and blind. Settles had a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in Fulton, MO, a master’s from Gallaudet College, and a doctorate from Webster College in Atlanta, GA.