Jamie Laubisch has touched a lot of hockey pucks, and a lot of lives.
The Union College junior from Apalachin, NY, and captain of Union's women's ice hockey team, has been nominated for the Hockey Humanitarian Award.
The award is open to any male or female NCAA college
hockey player who “best exemplifies personal character, a commitment to
studies, and whose contributions to his/her community are worthy of
attention.”
Laubisch, just one of 15 players nominated in the nation, is leading her team in it's first year of competing at the Div. I level.
Laubisch, a member of the ECAC all academic team, keeps a near
perfect grade point average while staying involved with a number of
activities.
At merit scholar at Union, she serves on the
Union College student athletic advisory committee, and the
College's social space committee. A member of Gamma Phi sorority,
Laubisch still finds time to stay involved with choral activities. She
is part of the Union College Garnet Minstrels Chorus, the St. John's
contemporary choir, and also sings the national anthem at home games
at Messa Rink. Then she takes the ice to play.
Laubisch, who is studying to become a doctor, volunteers her time as a
research assistant at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, and at St. Claire's
Hospital, working in pediatrics.
As a team and community leader, Laubisch and her teammates volunteer for
the Animal Protective Fireplug 500, which helps to save and protect
animals.
Serving as captain, Laubisch helps to organize “Skate with the
Dutchwomen,” which supports the local Girl Scouts, and gives a chance
for the local youth to skate with the team.
A current ECAC Academic All-American, Laubisch was named to the ECAC All-Rookie team as a freshman. Even after all this, she has been known to visit local children in area hospitals who are in need of some cheer.
Union Women's Head Coach Fred Quistgard said Laubisch is “the
most dynamic athlete I have coached in my 20 years,” and one who
“embodies the definition of a true student athlete.
“Jamie and the other student-athletes recognized by the Humanitarian Award are really the kind of
individuals our kids should be looking up to,” he said.
The finalists will be announced on January 8. Finalists will
be honored during a home game in February, and the presentation of the
Humanitarian Award will take place April 9, at the NCAA Frozen Four.