FRESNO, California. ( KGPE ) – In the second week of November, Janice Smith-Warshaw is competing in the National Deaf Pickleball Tournament in Austin, Texas.
Smith-Warshaw, who is also a Fresno State Professor in Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies, continues to serve as an inspiration to many people in the Central Valley.
She is involved in the local and national pickleball community and currently serves as the President of the Deaf Pickleball Association.
Most of the time she plays people who are not deaf. Instead of being intimidated, Warshaw is known for grabbing the bull by the horns on the road to success.
“I am dedicated to pickleball. I play 4 to 5 times a week,” said Smith-Warshaw. “I’m in it.”
On the court, Warshaw rocks a pickleball watch band and a red paddle charm.
“It is a good conversation starter,” said Smith-Warshaw. “It is nice. It is bringing hearing people to me, they ask about the necklace and then we can start a conversation and talk about other things.”