For the first time in Buffalo State’s history the national anthem was performed in American Sign Language (ASL) for the Homecoming game!

The interpretation of the anthem was performed by three students, Marlowe Riddick, Sarah Pratt, and David Wiggins.

The event was organized by Melissa VanOsch, a professor in the Speech-Language Pathology department who teaches courses in both ASL and the Dance department. VanOsch believes that dance and ASL go hand in hand as both are visual, kinesic forms of communication.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to bring awareness to deafness. With me having a background with dance, I have students in my dance class who are also in my American Sign Language class. It is important to note that they are both visual languages… a lot of the dancers do very well at using American Sign Language so they stepped up to the plate and will be performing an interpretation of the National Anthem,” VanOsch said before the event.

VanOsch hopes this will lay the groundwork for what’s to come and looks forward to this becoming a staple at many more Buffalo State sporting events.

If you are interested in learning more about ASL there is both an ASL Club on campus as well as the Buffalo State chapter of The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA). Buffalo State also offers a microcredential in “ASL and Communication Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities.” For more information on these organizations and the microcredential, you can reach out to Melissa VanOsch at [email protected]