Deaf female basketball player receives 5th Hall of Fame award

Renca: A deaf woman, Janel Birkenkott, from South Dakota, will get her 5th Hall of Fame award tomorrow night. 

This is her name sign. Janel is a star basketball player. Before the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) started it’s first season in 1997, there was National Women’s Basketball Association (NWBA) and Janel was the first deaf person to play. Unfortunately NWBA closed down due to finances then later on it changed and opened up again to become WNBA.

We, the Daily Moth, reached out to Janel for an interview about her five Hall of Fame awards and her experience playing basketball.

Renca: Congratulations! South Dakota High School has given you a Hall of Fame award. I have to ask you how do you feel to have this honor?

Janel: I feel very unique and honored. I got Northern State University Hall of Fame again. The second one is USA Deaf Sports Federation Hall of Fame. The third is USA Deaf Basketball Hall of Fame.

Renca: You have a total of three or four?

Janel: Four, no wait, five. The fourth is regional Hall of Fame from Mid-Atlantic Association of the Deaf.

Renca: Wow, okay so you got awards from hearing people and Deaf people. You beat the Olympics! All five Hall of Fame! Also, these awards were given by the hearing community and Deaf community and how they recognize your basketball skills. Please quickly explain who you are and a bit of about your background.

Janel: Ok so, my parents had no idea about the Deaf school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It’s 7 hours from my home town in Lemmon, South Dakota. That’s where I grew up. I went to a mainstream school with no interpreter. It was challenging for me. Lucky for me that I was involved with basketball. My teachers and coaches have helped me a lot. My mother had 5 kids. I have a deaf brother. My brother and I are the last two and I am the baby of the five. The population of Lemmon was 1,200 people. Everyone knew each other. We would go out to golf courses, basketball games, people always waved at each other, welcomed each other. I always was with them, eat with them, talk with them. It was really a small town.

Renca: So you grew up there, graduated from high school, then what?

Janel: I got 30 college letters with full ride scholarships. My mother said most of them were too far. My mother wanted me to stay close so I picked Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. That’s where I went to college for 4 years. Later, someone called mom to tell her that there will be pro try outs in Oklahoma at Oral Roberts University. That’s where we all went to try out.

Renca: Related to the WNBA, that’s today WNBA, but it was not first called that. What was it called first?

Janel: It was first called National Women’s Basketball Association. 

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That was first set up with president, vice president, etc. Everyone was excited. When we finished playing against the North Carolina team, then the president told us that NWBA had to close down due to not enough finances and not enough fans. Later on, it changed to WNBA. I missed my chance. However, Europe did talk to my mom and wanted me to play for Italy’s pro team. My mother said no because it was too far away. I just accepted. Later, I regretted it. I went back to school for 4 years. I graduated from college in 1987.

Renca: You went to the Deaflympics too. I know you said that you grew up not knowing about the Deaf community. You always were surrounded by hearing people. So you did not find out about the Deaf community until later. So, when you first went to the Deaflympics, oh I am sure tons of deaf people were there, what was your feelings or experiences with that?

Janel: My first time in the Deaflympics was in 1993 in Bulgaria. I was overwhelmed. I only knew a little bit of ASL. I did not sign much. I tried my best to communicate. I was overwhelmed. Many European players came up to me and signed with me. I was like ahh, wait wait. I am lost. I had to tell them I am sorry and I am lost. I was overwhelmed. By 1997, I picked up more ASL then I went again in Europe and met other people from different countries. I knew more signs and could communicate. It was better.

Renca: What’s your tip for those who are really interested in playing basketball? Just one tip related to basketball.

Janel: The important thing is to practice at home, practice in the gym, practice during the games. That’s how you improve. Keep practicing.

Renca: Thank you Janel for your time. Janel also want to thank three people: Cathy Schwan and Shirley Platt for bringing Janel in the Deaf community and Deaflympics when she was 27 years old and Scott Miller for the connection recognition of her accomplishment.

We want to congratulate Janel for her 5th hall of fame award. May we always remember her legacy with basketball.


https://www.one37pm.com/strength/sports/wnba-history