HCC to Host ASL Pickleball Tournament on April 4

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will host its second annual American Sign Language pickleball tournament on Saturday, April 4.

Sponsored by the HCC Deaf Studies Department, the tournament will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the pickleball courts inside the Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation.

This fun and friendly tournament is free for participants and geared for players of any skill level. Spectators are welcome. Paddles and balls will be supplied for players who need them.

The tournament begins at 9 a.m. with introductions and instructions in pickleball rules and strategy given in American Sign Language. Pickleball practice will start at 9:30 a.m., with the tournament running from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by an awards presentation and social time.

HCC ASL instructors Minh Vo and Mick Posner, who teach in the HCC Deaf Studies Department, will lead the pickleball instruction.

“The tournament is open to HCC as well as members of the local deaf community regardless of their pickleball skills and knowledge of ASL,” said Claire Sanders, chair of the Deaf Studies Department.

After practice time, players will be randomly assigned doubles partners, and the tournament will proceed using a round robin format. Certificates will be awarded to the top five players. To register, visit hcc.edu/asl-pickleball.