Gallaudet University wins Helmet Bowl national championship

WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University can call itself national champions after the school came out on top in the Helmet Bowl.

The Bison rallied from behind to defeat the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship, which was determined by online voting. The Washington D.C. university won by a vote of 17,657 to 15,521.

The Helmet Bowl competition was put on by Helmet Tracker, which searches for new uses of technology to help equipment managers do their jobs more effectively.

Gallaudet was trailing by 1,000 votes on Monday morning, but received more than 6,400 votes before voting ended to defeat San Diego State.

"This is one of the greatest comebacks ever! said Gallaudet Athletic Director Michael Weinstock. "We owe our gratitude to the Gallaudet University community, alumni, friends and supporters because without them this would not of been possible. We are proud to win the first Helmet Bowl national championship!"

Gallaudet will receive a Helmet Bowl national championship trophy and a banner from Helmet Tracker, which will be displayed in Gallaudet's Field House this spring.

Gallaudet University is the world's only college in which all programs and services are specifically designed for the deaf and hard of hearing.