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1998-1999 HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNER
Rochester Institute of Technology
Kristine receives "The Humanitarian"
from Nick Lopardo
1999 Humanitarian Award and Hobey Baker Award Ceremony
It was a great day for college hockey as Kristine Pierce from Rochester Institute of Technology and Jason Krog from the University of New Hampshire were honored. The 1999 college hockey Humanitarian Award recipient and the Hobey Baker Award winner were presented to over one thousand enthusiastic college hockey fans. Those who packed the room to witness the celebration of these two fabulous representatives of college hockey were not disappointed. The ceremony was held in the main ballroom of the Anaheim Hilton on Friday April 2nd . Kristine dazzled a full house with her smile and story. She is the first woman and also the first division three player to receive the award which carries the designation of college hockey's finest citizen.
The Hobey Baker Award, presented to the incredible Jason Krog from the University of New Hampshire, followed the Humanitarian Award. Responding to greatness, appreciative fans greeted both with long standing ovations. Two of college hockey's great award presentations were combined and made for a memorable event. Jason was told of his award only minutes before the ceremony at a UNH team breakfast.
"Kristine, a Legend"
By John Greenhalgh
Kristine Pierce (KP) was eleven when a neighbor's husband died in a car crash. Kristine baby sat and mothered three children, an infant, a two and a four-year-old. Summer days, from eight to four, were very busy. Kristine loved helping with the children. A humanitarian was born. The giving of one’s self is the norm at the Pierce residence. Her mother, a mentor and stay at home mom, a true humanitarian, always helped neighbors and friends. Balancing love and responsibility are not only taught, but are shared values that underline their closeness. KP is what her family believes in, the result of those family values. Without hesitation, KP turned down a full hockey scholarship at St. Lawrence to stay home with her ailing father.
Everyone talks about her cancer except KP. She shirks it off as just a little bump in the road. She said, "Mom deal with it, We are going to live with it, We are going to get on with our lives". And they did. KP describes her cancer as "the best thing ever to happen to her"; "the greatest gift ever".
Taught to look for good in other people, she finds it. She is teased by her friends about being perfect. She is. All that know her love and respect her. She refuses to mind her own business. She will not let total strangers suffer alone. She interferes, she helps, she heals, she loves.
Kristine is no goody two shoes. She seeks no recognition. Simply, she wants the world to be a better place. Others do not influence her; she rides her own horse. Never speechless, never without a smile, her spirit is infectious. She enters the room and good things begin to happen. She is a lover of life, of people, a true agent for positive change. Genuine, caring, unselfish, awesome, amazing, inspirational, perfect person -all words used to describe her. If Kristine sees someone who is down, she helps. A pat on the back from Kristine gets them through the day.
Her hockey coach says she is "The life force of the team who conveys a mental toughness to face adversity in any form and overcome it. Everything she says and every action she takes filters down to the other players. The standard she sets forces both coaches and players to follow her examples.
There is an undeniable spirit about her; she Cares she gives and trusts- all this and more help bring the team together. This team has evolved because of her personality, which reflects her individual traits. She sets the tone it is contagious. Injuries are not mentioned. No one will sit out a game or practice because KP won’t. Kristine is a coaches dream, a true role model, she epitomizes what this game is supposed to be about".
A failure came recently to KP. She struggled for months to help a classmate with a drug and alcohol problem. She took her to AA meetings. Help in all forms was tried. Her friend was not ready. KP suffered. Things were stolen from her. KP, upset, understood and forgave. Finally, she realized that she had to let go. When and if her friend is ready for help, so is Kristine.
Stories abound of her wonderful humanitarian efforts. She helps anyone in need. She never says no to anyone for any reason. A male hockey player was seen to be cutting class by KP. She let him know that he should not. He didn’t. Fellow students with learning disabilities are often at the point of despair. Kristine is always there to help ease the pain and develop a plan. She always follows up to see "Hey, how are you doing? Can I help?" The admissions department at RIT uses KP as their number one gun to recruit new students. She takes regular trips to major cities to help convince students to apply.
Marty Reasoner, ex: BC, a lifelong best friend and native of Rochester often visits Kristine. When pressed with major issues he sometimes sees her before going home. Marty and Kristine talk often. Marty helps KP and she listens to his problems. Marty’s major decisions are always discussed with KP first.
Her team and friends had decorated the athletic complex with signs everywhere stating-"This is where Kristine Pierce, our hall of fame person dresses." "This is the actual bike she works out on". The local paper had advertised the event. All three networks sent film crews. The SID received twelve calls from old friends and teachers. The president of the university and three hundred (normally fifty) of her closest friends were on hand to pay their respect to Kristine.
Before the game the coach said "the game is insignificant compared to what Kristine has accomplished". He was correct. After the game, the reception noise was rowdy as all her family, friends, team mates and many of her teachers from both grammar and high school came to offer their congratulations. Large and small signs decorated the arena and adjoining buildings as RIT celebrated both the end of KP’S hockey career and her Humanitarian finalist status. Yet, there was something more important in Rochester; Kristine, a legend.
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