HILBERT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ASSISTS AT ST. MARY'S SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

Returning for their second consecutive year, the Hilbert College women's basketball team held an instructional basketball clinic for students at St. Mary's School for the Deaf (SMSD) in North Buffalo November 3rd.

A dozen Hawks worked with the 34 St. Mary's student-athletes who received assistance from ten SMSD instructors during the two hour basketball clinic.  Every inch of the gymnasium was utilized either by players, coaches or family members, who sat on the stage and cheered.

Paul Crowley, a second-year assistant on Melissa Graham's coaching staff, partnered with Hilbert senior Crystle Marion, a 2013 SMSD grad, in leading the instruction. 

Crowley is very fluent in American Sign Language having spent over 30-years overseeing programs at SMSD and Marion was a very successful student-athlete at the Main Street school.  At the time of her graduation in 2012, Marion was the WNY All-Time leading scorer, having knocked down 2,527 points in her six-year varsity career as a Buffalo.  

"This was not only a great opportunity for Crystle to give back to her alma mater, but also for our team to give back to the community," explained Melissa Graham.  "Our theme has been 'we rise by lifting others' and working with SMSD was a great example of that. We are looking forward to continuing this relationship with St. Mary's School for the Deaf."