Jan. 13, 2010
Stockton, Calif. -
Pacific Athletics will honor distinguished alumni Kristin Spracher-Birtwhistle (`81), Rick Paulsen (`82) and Gary Scott (`70) at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit Recognition Luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 16.
The Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit was established in 1981 by former Graduate Manager of Athletics Bob Breeden, Pacific Alumni Director Kara Brewer, and Director of Athletics Elkin Isaac. The award recognizes an alumnus who participated in athletics at Pacific and who has gone on to achieve distinction in his/her life through the notable examples of integrity, dedication, idealism, and team spirit that Mr. Stagg personified and to which Pacific is dedicated.
Kristen Spracher-Birtwhistle `81
Kristen graduated from Pacific in 1981 with a bachelor of arts in sports medicine, and completed a master of arts in sports medicine in 1988. Spracher-Birtwhistle played tennis for the Tigers from 1978-1981. Kristen is currently a Medical Group Administrative Consultant at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif. In 2009 Kristen served as the Executive Chair for the American Heart Association-Go Red for Women Luncheon. She has also been active in the health community serving on the Board of Directors for Su Salud from 1990-96, in addition to being an Executive Board Member for the Dameron Hospital Foundation (1990-97) and the American Cancer Society (1991-94). Kristen is also the Co-Founder for the Celebration of Women's Wellness Conference and the Celebration of Women's Wellness Conference with Kaiser Permanente Stockton. She has been honored by Soroptimists International and was recognized as Business Manager of the Year by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce in 2000. In the past, Kristen has also been a member of the University of the Pacific Alumni Association and the Pacific Athletic Women's Supporters.
Rick Paulsen `82
Rick Paulsen graduated from Pacific in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in business. Paulsen was inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 for his work as a volunteer for Pacific Athletics. Paulsen and his father, Max, have raised over two million dollars for the Pacific Athletic Department. He was also inducted in 2007 with the Tigers' 1979 basketball team. Paulsen was also a member of the Pacific baseball team from 1980-82, appearing in 20 games as a pitcher. He has served over 20 years a Board Member for Pacific's Eberhardt School of Business and the Pacific Tigers Athletics Association. As a gift chairman, Rich has raised over $10 million in our community for Presentation Church, Presentation School, St. Mary's High School, youth programs and various other community organizations. Rick is the past president of numerous community boards, notably the Dameron Hospital Foundation, and has raised over one million dollars for the hospital. Paulsen is also a New York Life Vice President and is the No. 2 agent in a country of 11,000 agents. He was named the Stuart Gibbons Agent of the Year in 2001 for his services within his community for his involvement and leadership. Paulsen was the recipient of Dameron Hospital's "Heart of Gold" Award and Presentation School's Outstanding Alumni Award.
Gary Scott `70
Gary Scott played football at University of the Pacific from 1967-68 and earned the Syd Robinson Trophy (Most Loyal) in 1968. Prior to his time at Pacific, Scott was a two-time letter winner at the College of San Mateo. A Pacific graduate, Scott obtained his bachelor of arts in physical education in 1970 and master of arts in physical education in 1971. In 1976 Scott was the Yosemite Division Coach of the Year and in 1977 was the Fresno County Grid-Fest Award Winner. Gary was also the Sanger Unified District Representative in the State Competition for the Teacher of the Year Award in 1977. Over an 11 year span beginning in 1988, Gary was an assistant football coach at Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College, as well as the head coach of women's swimming and football at Delta College. Scott served as the Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Division Dean and Athletic Director from 1997-2008 at Delta College in Stockton, Calif. He has also been a member of the American Football Coaches Association for 35 years as well as a Stockton Sports Commission Board Member for 13 years. Scott is currently a Health Education instructor at Delta.
