“Sports do not build character. They reveal it”.    (The late Heywood Hale Broun – sports writer, commentator and actor)

 

In the sports world, a few elite athletes carry an aura with them, to, from and during a competition. These small numbers of players are admired by their teammates, opposition, game officials and spectators. Only a special minority has earned that status; Dan Stearns was one of those individuals.

 

Dan was a “quiet” leader but his presence and impact was very "loud". The 44-year-old Prince George native owned a special gift as one of those rare athletes that could change a game with a booming shot, or a dramatic hit with a baseball bat. His tragic death in a work-related accident last week near Peace River, Alberta has left a huge void on the PG sports scene.

 

Stearns was a sports fanatic, with an uncanny ability to score goals similar to Brett Hull and hit home runs like Ken Griffey Jr. Since his days as a nine year old in the Prince George Minor Hockey Association, to his tenure with the Senior/Intermediate Prince George Mohawks, Dan was a prominent hockey player, who more often than not, led his team in scoring. On the ball field, (slo-pitch and OTL),
Dan was the guy who made leaping catches to save a game, or deliver a two-out, two run homer in the bottom of the final inning to give his team the victory.

 

I am fortunate because I played with and against Dan Stearns in both slo-pitch and ball hockey. I remember Dan as the leader of the 1980’s Moons Slo-Pitch team. As an opposing pitcher Dan was the toughest “out”. In ball hockey, I played and coached against him for several years. I don’t believe he realized the number of sleepless nights I endured trying to find the right strategy to shut him down.

 

Many have heard the old adage that states, “If you can’t beat em, join em”. After many years of playing against Dan, I asked him to play on my 40+ ball hockey team; I was pleasantly surprised that he agreed. Dan and I didn’t socialize in the same circles, yet he had no hesitation playing for my team, even though we were bitter rivals.

 

As a teammate I gained a new perspective and sense of admiration for him. I learned that he was a true gentleman. Dan scored more goals, per game, than anyone else in PG Ball Hockey history, yet even with superstar status, Dan never put himself above the team. If our team was winning by a goal with two minutes left in the game, Dan would always tell me (the playing-coach) to play a better defensive player. He insisted that less talented players (like me) take a regular shift, just like him. He maintained, for team unity, that everybody takes their turn, regardless of ability. That kind of unselfishness, led our Cap-abilities Ball Hockey team to a perfect 28-0 (including 4-0 in the playoffs) record in the 2007/08 season. (The PG Masters Ball Hockey League plans to recognize Dan's contribution with a League Trophy in his name for the upcoming season).

 

Dan played clean, hard and fair. He battled through injuries, including knee surgery, and took more whacks than anyone else; the price you pay when you are “the guy”. His teams usually won, but on those rare times they didn’t, Dan was gracious in defeat, and owned that rare ability to leave the game at the rink, or the ball field, and not dwell on the setback. After all, he knew his team would even the “score” next time.

 

The word “likeable” falls short of describing Dan’s personality. He had an army of friends, many of whom supported “Stearnsie” when he battled personal challenges. Dan would give the shirt off his back to a friend, and his buddies felt the same way towards him. 

 

Dan is survived by his 13-year-old daughter, Kylie Rae, his parents Ginger and Lyle, his sister Lisa
and his ex-wife Tammy. I feel honored that I have been asked to deliver Dan’s eulogy at his funeral today (Friday, Sept 5^th at Assman’s). Dan’s funeral will be a celebration of his life, and once again, his “presence” will be felt by the hundreds of lives he touched.