Kiernan named one of only four finalists for Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award
4/30/2019 3:46:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For all he means to the Lehigh men's lacrosse program on and off the field, senior Chris Kiernan has been recognized as a finalist for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award, as announced on Tuesday. The award honors the accomplishments of men's and women's collegiate lacrosse players from Divisions I, II and III who demonstrate dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, leadership, kindness and sportsmanship – all qualities former University of Virginia women's lacrosse standout Yeardley Reynolds Love exemplified throughout her life.
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Kiernan is one of four Division I finalists, along with Logan Maccani (Ohio State), Ryan Conrad (Virginia) and Brian Tevlin (Yale).
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The YRL Unsung Hero award was established in 2011 to celebrate the selfless acts of initiative, commitment and teamwork demonstrated by collegiate lacrosse players. The honor places value on characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse.
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"Chris is an embodiment of all the qualities it takes to make a Lehigh Lacrosse man," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "Passion, selflessness, disciplined and tough. He possesses the highest possible strength of character and has a team-first mentality."Â
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All the adjectives mentioned (dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, leadership, kindness and sportsmanship) describe Kiernan to a T. He walked onto the team as a freshman in 2016 and by mid-season, was Lehigh's starting goaltender. As a traditional walk-on who tried out for the team in September, Kiernan ended up starting nine games during his freshman campaign.
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It was impressive to earn the starting spot as a freshman, but even more impressive how Kiernan responded after he lost that starting spot as a sophomore, continuing to be a great teammate and leader. Despite seeing less than 30 minutes of game action over the last two seasons, Chris continues to keep the team united.
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Kiernan was voted team captain this year. Despite being a backup goaltender, he garners so much respect, trust and admiration from his teammates.
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"Chris is the glue that keeps our culture strong," said Cassese. "He is also an outstanding student, and is heavily involved in community service and student leadership organizations."
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Off the field, Kiernan owns a 3.89 GPA in Political Science (while minoring in History and Business). He also serves as a member of Lehigh Athletics' Student-Athlete Council. Lehigh Lacrosse takes part in multiple community service initiatives, including helping the City of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation at the start of every fall semester and taking part in Lehigh Athletics' Adopt-A-Family initiative when each Lehigh team "adopts" a local underprivileged family and provides them a Christmas/holiday. Each of the last two fall semesters, the Mountain Hawks took part in the Nicholas Colleluori Classic and were No. 1 in fundraising for the fight against cancer. Chris has been at the forefront of all these initiatives, and more.
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Perhaps most impressively are the positions Kiernan has garnered. In the summer of 2016, Kiernan interned in the Office of Presidential Correspondence at the White House, drafting correspondence on behalf of President Obama. He has found time for multiple other internships and recently accepted a full-time job at Alliance Bernstein in their private wealth management division.
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The winner of the 2019 Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award will be announced in late May.
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Kiernan and the Mountain Hawks enter the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 2 seed and have earned a bye into the semifinals. Lehigh will play in the second semifinal at Loyola's Ridley Athletic Complex, with opening faceoff set for 8 p.m. The Mountain Hawks could face No. 3 Boston University, No. 4 Army West Point or No. 5 Holy Cross on Friday.
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Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.Â
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Men's Division I
Chris Kiernan - Lehigh
Logan Maccani - Ohio State
Ryan Conrad - University of Virginia
Brian Tevlin - Yale University
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Kiernan is one of four Division I finalists, along with Logan Maccani (Ohio State), Ryan Conrad (Virginia) and Brian Tevlin (Yale).
Â
The YRL Unsung Hero award was established in 2011 to celebrate the selfless acts of initiative, commitment and teamwork demonstrated by collegiate lacrosse players. The honor places value on characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse.
Â
"Chris is an embodiment of all the qualities it takes to make a Lehigh Lacrosse man," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "Passion, selflessness, disciplined and tough. He possesses the highest possible strength of character and has a team-first mentality."Â
Â
All the adjectives mentioned (dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, leadership, kindness and sportsmanship) describe Kiernan to a T. He walked onto the team as a freshman in 2016 and by mid-season, was Lehigh's starting goaltender. As a traditional walk-on who tried out for the team in September, Kiernan ended up starting nine games during his freshman campaign.
Â
It was impressive to earn the starting spot as a freshman, but even more impressive how Kiernan responded after he lost that starting spot as a sophomore, continuing to be a great teammate and leader. Despite seeing less than 30 minutes of game action over the last two seasons, Chris continues to keep the team united.
Â
Kiernan was voted team captain this year. Despite being a backup goaltender, he garners so much respect, trust and admiration from his teammates.
Â
"Chris is the glue that keeps our culture strong," said Cassese. "He is also an outstanding student, and is heavily involved in community service and student leadership organizations."
Â
Off the field, Kiernan owns a 3.89 GPA in Political Science (while minoring in History and Business). He also serves as a member of Lehigh Athletics' Student-Athlete Council. Lehigh Lacrosse takes part in multiple community service initiatives, including helping the City of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation at the start of every fall semester and taking part in Lehigh Athletics' Adopt-A-Family initiative when each Lehigh team "adopts" a local underprivileged family and provides them a Christmas/holiday. Each of the last two fall semesters, the Mountain Hawks took part in the Nicholas Colleluori Classic and were No. 1 in fundraising for the fight against cancer. Chris has been at the forefront of all these initiatives, and more.
Â
Perhaps most impressively are the positions Kiernan has garnered. In the summer of 2016, Kiernan interned in the Office of Presidential Correspondence at the White House, drafting correspondence on behalf of President Obama. He has found time for multiple other internships and recently accepted a full-time job at Alliance Bernstein in their private wealth management division.
Â
The winner of the 2019 Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award will be announced in late May.
Â
Kiernan and the Mountain Hawks enter the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 2 seed and have earned a bye into the semifinals. Lehigh will play in the second semifinal at Loyola's Ridley Athletic Complex, with opening faceoff set for 8 p.m. The Mountain Hawks could face No. 3 Boston University, No. 4 Army West Point or No. 5 Holy Cross on Friday.
Â
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.Â
Â
Men's Division I
Chris Kiernan - Lehigh
Logan Maccani - Ohio State
Ryan Conrad - University of Virginia
Brian Tevlin - Yale University
Â
Players Mentioned
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