Union County Review

Kean’s American Sign Language (ASL) Club, in collaboration with the New Jersey Devils and other partners, orchestrated a successful ASL Night at the Prudential Center during one of the NHL team’s home games.

The event, held on Thursday, March 7, attracted about 175 attendees from various colleges and high schools, who were treated to ASL Night t-shirts and a unique opportunity to walk on the ice. Jay Cariaso, a senior account executive with the team and Prudential Center, commended Kyle Nosseir, a Kean senior and the public relations director of the University’s ASL Club, for his instrumental role in promoting the event and driving ticket sales. Cariaso acknowledged, “I told Kyle during the game, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without his support, promoting the event and getting so many people out.”

The ASL Night aimed to provide a platform for the Deaf community, friends, and supporters to come together for a special evening at the hockey arena. The attendees were seated in a dedicated section and treated to a performance by the Ocean ASL Society Performers, making the event inclusive and accessible with ASL interpreters facilitating communication throughout the evening.

Expressing his motivation for participating in the event, Kyle Nosseir shared, “I wanted to take part in this event because the Deaf community is often overlooked, and there are not many opportunities or fun social events at this scale that are accessible to them.” AnnMarie Bacino, the Kean ASL Program Coordinator and ASL Club Advisor, who is Deaf, emphasized the importance of such gatherings, stating, “It was really good to see old and new faces using ASL to communicate without feeling stressed about using my phone to communicate with someone who does not know sign language. I felt welcomed.”

Kean University's partnership with the New Jersey Devils is set to continue, with plans for another ASL Night in the future. Bacino expressed her hope to see a Deaf performer selected to sign the National Anthem at the next event, advocating for greater representation within such initiatives.

Looking ahead, Kyle Nosseir, who has been inspired by his involvement in ASL activities, is set to pursue Kean University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program after his graduation in May. He envisions utilizing ASL in his future career to enhance communication with clients and collaborate effectively with speech therapists. Reflecting on his current interactions, Nosseir shared, “Working in retail, I currently use ASL with Deaf customers who come in. They often seem very surprised to see someone who knows their language.”

The Kean ASL Club’s commitment to community outreach will continue with the upcoming Deaf Café Night scheduled for April 18 in Cougar's Den.