Former Atlanta Hawks player continues tradition of coaching young deaf players

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Mike Glenn says as a kid he always loved going to work with his dad.

“Dad was a coach at the Georgia School for the Deaf in the early 1950s, before I was born,” Glenn said. Berndt Petersen from Channel 2.

That’s when Glenn decided to give back one day.

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“I said I knew deaf kids could play. I know they love the sport and I wanted to host a basketball camp for them,” Glenn said.

During his playing years in the NBA, 4 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks in the 1980s, that’s exactly what Glenn did.

This year marks the 44th annual Mike Glenn Basketball Camp for the Deaf, this week at Clairmont Presbyterian Church in Decatur.

Willie Brown was once one of Glenn’s students.

He is now a performer and coach.

“They can do it. Deafness can’t stop you. I tell them to show everyone how good you are,” Brown said.

Children come from all over the metro.

Lucas Wilson, 14, came from Florida.

“I just want to be here to improve and prove people wrong about size. I want to show them I have skills,” Wilson said.

Glenn was known as “Stinger” during his playing days because of the way his shots hit the net.

He said he learned lessons about basketball and life from the deaf players his father coached.

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“I learned everything from them. I wanted to have a camp that thanked them for what they gave me,” Glenn said.

The camp will run all week and will include a visit from two former Harlem Globetrotters players.

You can reach the Mike Glenn Foundation at Post Office Box 390313, Snellville, GA 30039.

His website, www.mikeglenn.com, is under construction.

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