Deaf athlete reads to and teaches students

Matt “The Hammer” Hamill is a deaf American amateur wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter. Matt was a three-time NCAA Wrestling Division III National Champion from 1997-1999 while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He is currently a fighter for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and takes time to visit schools to speak with young people. 

During the month of March, Matt came to Solvay High School through the help and support of Le Moyne College’s American Sign Language class in connection to the literacy incentive, Read Across America. While at Solvay High School, Hamill read and signed the story Ferdinand the Bull to the students. He also gave a presentation on his life and the many challenges he has faced and overcome due to his hearing loss. 

OCM BOCES Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Lisa Austin, helped arrange Matt’s visit to the school and was very pleased with the students’ reception of him. She said, “The students enjoyed having a famous athlete come and sign a story to them. Hamill really encouraged the students to strive for their dreams and to not let anything stand in their way of what they want to accomplish in life. He was very inspirational.”

After his presentation, Hamill signed autographs, took pictures with the students and spoke to them on a personal level. The day was a complete success.