Through his hard work and sportsmanship on the court, and his dedication to
the sport of volleyball through coaching, organizing and voluntary work,
Rick Pierce was known as one of New England's Elite in the volleyball
community. Rick lost his life in a tragic car accident while driving home
from a NE Regional tournament in April of 1987.
Each year the Rick Pierce Tournament is held in Memory of Rick and an Award
goes to 2 members of the volleyball community that exemplify the
characteristics that made Rick so Special:
-Great Sportsmanship
-Well Respected Player
-Volunteers time to the sport without need for compensation or recognition.
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*********Quoting Laura Gleason's presentation at MIT on Saturday*********
Male Recipient
This years Rick Pierce male recipient is an individual with the kind of
character that people would love to have. He is extremely level headed and
unbiased on the volleyball court. He is honest without question... calling
his own net violations, balls that are in or out- even if it costs his team
the game or match.
He is a genuine man and has a passion for both the sport and the people he
plays with. While he has markedly improved his skills over the years he
continues to play with and support all of the friends that he originally
started playing with. He stresses the importance of trying your best and
playing hard it is not just about winning.
He is certainly not a loud man and never draws attention to himself.... he
is a guy that works undercover. With a steady, approachable personality he
supports teammates and opponents alike. At Nationals, he has been known to
shake hands with opponents that have beaten his team, have conversations
with and even support those opponents later in the tournament. , We have
seen opponents watch and cheer him on as a result of this.
He is truly a joy to play with and against, and I personally feel he is a
wonderful, genuine man.
I am very please to present this year¹s male recipient of the Rick Pierce
award:
BRIAN KANGAS
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Female Recipient
This year¹s female Rick Pierce recipient has been playing in the area for
quite a number of years. She began her love of the sport at a local high
school, continuing on with a local Juniors program, then played college club
ball where she played on both the women¹s and men¹s club teams.
She has been instrumental in coordinating organized women¹s volleyball teams
in the area, starting one of the leading club teams in the north east, which
has been going strong since 1994. This club has frequently sponsored
multiple women¹s teams in the same season, and has been a staple in nearly
every higher level womens¹ tournament since farther back than even I can
remember.
She has played with her closest friends on this club team for over a decade,
and has played reverse doubles with her husband for nearly twenty years
something only a select few can manage.
She has been involved in numerous clinics and currently works with a local
youth volleyball program. She is a great combination of a fierce
competitor, and one that can leave it on the court when the game is over.
She is truly someone who loves the sport for the right reasons.
She has played in every Rick Pierce tournament for the last fifteen years,
and it is my pleasure to present this year¹s female Rick Pierce recipient:
JULIE ROBARTS
