Pluemer earns NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
5/18/2020
Air Force hockey player Pierce Pluemer earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, the first Academy cadet-athlete to earn the honor since 2012-13. He is the second hockey player in school history to earn the honor and the first since Brian Gornick in 2001-02. Since 1962, he is the 73rd Air Force Academy cadet-athlete to earn the award.
Pluemer, who graduated this past April, carried a 3.87 cumulative GPA as an operations research major. A native of Phillips, Wisc., he was on the Dean’s List every semester and on the Superintendent’s List three times. Pluemer also served as chairman of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. On the ice, he played in 116 career games and had 19 career points with seven goals and two game-winners. He helped lead the Falcons to two Atlantic Hockey championships and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances.
Pluemer was selected for the Academy’s Graduate Studies Program, pursuing a master’s degree in economics at the University of South Florida. After completing the program, he then plans to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree,” Pluemer said. “The instructors, coaching staff and athletic department have all immensely helped throughout my amazing journey at the Academy. I am forever thankful. I reflect on the relationships, experiences and lessons I have learned competing in athletics and I have grown and developed so much as a person because of this path. I hope to be able to give back to the Academy and athletics in any way that I can.”
“Pierce Pluemer is an extraordinary young man who gives absolutely everything he has into every aspect of his life,” head hockey coach Frank Serratore said. “He is driven to the point of obsession in everything. Our program has produced a number of very special people but none more special than Pierce. I was so excited to see him get rewarded for his continual pursuit of excellence.”
“Pierce has done a tremendous job balancing his responsibilities as a cadet, athlete and emerging military leader,” said Col. Meg Martin, Air Force Academy NCAA Faculty Representative. “By earning his master’s and completing pilot training, he will be set up to return to USAFA as a faculty member after a traditional assignment or two as an Air Force pilot. Excelling in academics, athletics and military training will make him an invaluable mentor to the next generation of cadets.”
