Dan Pierce made an enviable record as a Ranger. The basketball and baseball teams' achievements are among his fondest memories of Drew.
It was Coach Vince Masco who made Dan aware of Drew, and the College's reputation for both academics and athletics attracted him to The Forest. Here he pursued a major in economics and a minor in business management, studied ethics with Professor Donald G. Jones, and played both baseball and basketball all four years.
As basketball guard and forward, Dan started in 93 out of 95 games while exhibiting an outstanding all-around game. He finished his career with 1510 points, fourth highest in Drew history, and ranks third in career rebounds with 707. His 243 three-pointers are the most by a Ranger in his career, and he twice ranked in the NCAA's Top 25 in threes per game. He also ranks in Drew's Top Ten in field goals made and attempted, has two of the top ten scoring seasons, and as a junior averaged 19.5 points per game, the fifth most in a season. For his career, he averaged 15.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In January 1996 he tied a school record by scoring 45 points against Delaware Valley. His 11 three-pointers in the same game set a new Middle Atlantic Conference record.
Dan captained the basketball team in his junior and senior seasons and was named the team's Most Valuable Player both years. He was a first team all-Freedom Conference selection as a junior and a second team selection in his senior year. He was named MAC Player of the Week at least once during each of his last three years, and was named to the Jersey "9" Honor Roll as a sophomore and to the S.W. Sponaugle Classic All-Tournament Team as a junior.
As each spring came, Dan turned his attention to baseball, where he played first base and right field. His seven career triples rank him fourth on the career list, and he ranks in the Drew Top Ten for a single season in doubles, extra base hits, home runs, and triples. A career .306 hitter, his best season came as a senior when he posted a .330 average with nine doubles and 65 total bases. That year, he hit a homerun in four consecutive games on the spring trip in Florida. He was a second-team All-Conference selection in his junior and senior years, and was a New Jersey Baseball Coaches All-Star following his junior season. He finished his Drew athletic career as Drew's Male Athlete of the Year.
