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RIT Athletics mourns the loss of former women’s hockey star, Hall of Famer Kristine (Pierce) Brassie

Pierce

Women's Hockey | 4/4/2019 4:46:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT athletics family mourns the loss of former women's hockey standout Kristine (Pierce) Brassie, who passed away on April 3. Brassie, who won the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award in 1999, earned induction into the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
 
Pierce, who donned No. 12 as a defenseman for the Tigers from 1994-99, became the first woman and non-Division I athlete to win the Hockey Humanitarian Award given annually to "college hockey's finest citizen." The Honeoye Falls-Lima graduate earned the honor for the many service hours she gave to RIT and the Rochester community, working with 24 different organizations. In addition, Pierce, a native of Mendon, overcame Hodgkin's disease as a sophomore and returned to the ice the following season. She also served three seasons as team captain and earned her bachelor's degree in hospitality and service management.

On Feb. 19, 2000, Brassie became the first athlete in RIT's storied intercollegiate athletic history to have her jersey retired. She was also honored as the Democrat and Chronicle's Amateur Athlete of the Year at the Rochester Press-Radio Club's 51st annual Day of Champions dinner that spring. In addition, Brassie was featured in SPORTMagazine's "Heroes Edition" along with John Elway, former Denver Broncos quarterback, Michael Jordan, former Chicago Bulls great, and Wayne Gretzky, National Hockey League Hall of Famer.

"The RIT Athletics family mourns the passing of Kristine (Pierce) Brassie, who was a prominent figure in the rise of our Athletics program to national recognition," said Lou Spiotti, Jr., RIT Executive Director of Athletics. "Kristine was not only a key player for her teams but was a leader on and off the competitive arena. Her recognition as the Hockey Humanitarian Award winner and an RIT Sports Hall of Fame inductee speaks to the quality of her contributions. She will always be remembered by us as the commensurate student-athlete and her spirit will live on for many years in the hearts and minds of the Tiger faithful."