Former PIHS athlete honored by UNE
BIDDEFORD — A former Presque Isle High School student-athlete has been inducted into the University of New England Athletic Hall of Fame.
Contributed photo
HALL OF FAME — Danielle Derosier Pearson, who is a Presque Isle High School graduate (’93), recently entered the University of New England Athletic Hall of Fame. Pearson is pictured with former UNE women’s soccer coach Doug Biggs.
Danielle Pearson (formerly Danielle Deriosier) joined four others on Sept. 23 as the seventh class to be honored by the university.
“When I found out about this honor I was stunned, said Pearson. “I was and still am incredibly humbled and honored to have received this award.”
Pearson is the career-scoring leader for the UNE women’s soccer program. In her four-year career spanning from 1993-96, she totaled 56 goals, 43 assists, and 155 total points. Pearson helped lead the program to a school-record 19 wins in 1994 – a season during which she tallied 15 goals and a school-record 22 assists.
“Looking back, I recognize that I did work very hard to become the best soccer player that I could,” added Pearson. “However, to me, success is not determined by the number of goals one scores, the number of records one holds, or how many achievements one receives. To me, success is measured by the person you become and the number of lives you touch along the way. My parents, Mrs. Sue Lougee (Presque Isle coach) and Coach Doug Biggs (UNE soccer coach) all touched my life in a significant way, teaching me to have success in athletics as well as in life. That is invaluable.”
Athletics still play a big role in Pearson’s life. She plays in a women’s soccer league once a week, as well as enjoys running, biking and swimming.
“In the past two years I ran in two half marathons and competed in my first triathlon, she said. “Those were major accomplishments for me because I was never a long distance runner and I was scared to death of swimming. My purpose in participating in those events was to prove to myself and my children that we can truly accomplish anything we set our minds to.”
Pearson resides in Nashua, N.H. with her husband and their five children.
