FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2013
Courtesy of the Saint Anselm Communications Staff
Tucker Mullin, a senior forward and captain on the Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team, was selected as this year's recipient of the BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award, trustee Paul Sheehan and the foundation announced Friday evening at the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mullin is only the third non-Division I winner of the award since the 1996 inaugural recipient, J.P. McKersie of the Boston University Terriers.
The Hockey Humanitarian Award, currently in its 18th season of existence, is awarded annually to college hockey's finest citizen and seeks to recognize college hockey players at all levels, who give back to their communities in the true humanitarian spirit. The award seeks "not to celebrate Hall of Fame athletes, but rather Hall of Fame human beings," according to the BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award Web site.
Mullin was nominated as a result of his many charitable endeavors that he has undertaken over the previous four seasons. The senior forward and two-time team captain co-founded the Thomas E. Smith Fight to Cure Paralysis foundation, a 501c(3) non-profit organization, which benefits those affected by and living with paralysis through emotional and financial support.
Since the foundation's establishment May 12, 2010, Mullin and his co-Founder, Thomas Smith, have organized a variety of fundraising activities throughout New England and beyond. Through their fundraising efforts, including an annual golf tournament, they have raised over $51,000 and given $34,700 in grants, including a $10,000 grant to former Merrimack College hockey player Chic Kelly and his foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of spinal cord injury victims.
Mullin has developed a "Massachusetts Cure Paralysis" license plate, the first-ever vanity license plate designed to benefit paralysis research. All proceeds generated from the license plate will support Invivo Therapeutics and their efforts developing scaffolding systems for patients with acute spinal cord injuries.
Mullin has also been proactive in other undertakings, serving as a student ambassador for Team IMPACT, a New England-based non-profit that serves children facing life-threatening diseases by creating team-based support systems. The group strives to harness the power of teamwork by matching up children with collegiate athletic teams.
Last season, Mullin and his teammates "adopted" nine-year old Benjamin Roy, a regular attendee at Saint Anselm home ice hockey games. Benjamin has defied all odds since the age of four, having been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia pre-B cell in 2007. The youngster is someone who Mullin characterizes as a "big part of the team."
In addition to hosting Benjamin at the rink, Mullin has been a huge part of his life off the ice. Mullin and the rest of his teammates are involved with Benjamin through completing homework assignments, walking together in Relay for Life and building friendship through Legos and playing street hockey in the locker room.
Mullin was present at Benjamin's first communion, as well as attending his ninth birthday party and watching the 2013 NFL Super Bowl with Ben and his hockey teammates.
"I have grown into these roles over the last few years and it has been an extremely fulfilling experience," said Mullin. "I have used hockey as the vehicle to support worthy causes and highly value the opportunity to represent something that is bigger than myself. Most importantly, I have been blessed to see the differences we have been able to make: this is what really matters."
Mullin will add this honor to the Saint Anselm Paul S. Coleman Senior Service Award for Outstanding Service Leadership, which he received in a ceremony celebrating the 20th edition of the awards at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on Wednesday evening. Paul S. Coleman, a former Saint Anselm College sociology professor, spent his life in selfless service to others. In honor of his memory, Saint Anselm presents an award for service and service leadership to seniors who demonstrate a commitment to others during their four years on campus.
Mullin's efforts were also recognized the past two seasons by the award trustees, as he earned a place among finalists in both 2011 and 2012. Mullin was one of three sophomore student-athletes nominated for the award in 2011 and was also one of the eight finalists from the original pool of 25 nominees.
Last season, as a junior, Mullin earned a spot as one of five finalists – the only junior finalist out of the 23 nominees.
