Spencerport native Sam Paolini was named the 2003 recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award in ceremonies held at the Buffalo Hyatt April 11 during the Frozen Four Division I College Hockey Championships.

The annual award is given to "College Hockey's finest citizen" said Nicholas Lopardo, trustee of the Hockey Humanitarian Foundation in naming the winner. "It is meant to be a true measure of a person's worth, not just as an athlete, but as someone who embodies those values that merit our recognition." Paolini is the eighth recipient of the national award and the third from Western New York.

Paolini, a senior at Cornell, initiated the Power Play for Prevention program in which $300 is given to the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance for every Big Red power play goal scored this season with more than $10,000 pledged as of the end of the season. Of course, he led the way with seven power play goals of his own. This major undertaking was preceded by his coordination with his Cornell teammates of the "Special Population Skate" with disadvantaged people every Sunday during the season.

"While I am really proud of what the community has done with the Power Play Prevention program this year, the 'Special Population Skate' is my pride and joy," said Paolini in a post-ceremony press conference. "We never had a program like this at Cornell before and I feel strongly that it will carry on after I graduate. Some of the people will start out being pushed around in chairs and then get out of the chair and start skating around the ice with guys on the team."

Paolini had previously been involved in a similar program at Choate Rosemary Hall, where he finished up his high school career after playing as an 8th grader and freshman for the Spencerport Rangers hockey team. His school record of 88 assists over his two seasons still stands.

His first venture into community service came at 14 years old when he became involved in a Touch-a-Thon at what is now Greece Ridge Mall for the Kidney Foundation.

"When I heard I was being nominated for this award, I felt very honored," said Paolini. "Then I found out the quality of the other four individuals who were also nominated this year and the people that have won in the past, I felt an even greater honor. Now, to be receiving the Humanitarian Award is something I can't explain. I couldn't have done anything without the support and help of my teammates." He concluded by inviting the entire team up on the dais for a team photo.

"My mom is my hero. She and my grandmother are my inspirations," said Paolini of his own family battles with breast cancer. The Applied Economic Management major has a 3.12 GPA heading into the final weeks of his college career.

"It's extraordinary when a student would like to help, has a plan in mind, and then follows through on that plan purely on his or her own initiative," commented Christie Sanchirico of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance. "Sam has been that kind of extraordinary volunteer."