Hilbert College will play Gallaudet University who has teamed up with AT&T to enhance on-field communication for student-athletes who use American Sign Language.
[Hamburg, NY] The Hilbert College Hawks football team will play against Gallaudet University this Saturday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. ET. at Hotchkiss Field in Washington DC. AT&T and Gallaudet University, the global leader in bilingual education for deaf and hard of hearing students, have collaborated to create the first 5G-connected football helmet—making the game more inclusive by enhancing on-field communication for student-athletes who use American Sign Language. The helmet will be used for the first time in NCAA Division III competition during Gallaudet’s home game against Hilbert College.
“We’re honored to be the first team to compete against Gallaudet during this historic moment for the deaf and hard of hearing community,” said Tim Seil, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Hilbert College. “This moment marks expanded possibilities for inclusion in sports—even beyond college football.”
By displaying the coach’s play through augmented reality (AR), this technology eliminates a gap for deaf and hard of hearing athletes, making football more inclusive. It can also reduce miscommunication and unwarranted penalties.
“The new AT&T 5G-connected helmet will have a major impact on the game of football, especially for our deaf and hard of hearing players who lacked direct access to communications with their coaches during their high school years,” said Shelby Bean, special teams coordinator and former player for Gallaudet University. “This will help to level the playing field for mainstreamed athletes. As a former player, I am very excited to see this innovative technology change our lives and the game of football itself.”
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About Hilbert College
Hilbert College is a Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accredited not-for-profit institution offering two-year, four-year, and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. Hilbert is home to 770 students studying in traditional undergraduate programs within a residential, NCAA III setting in Hamburg, New York and 200 additional students in online and graduate programs.