Vermont State University Lyndon

"I don't know where he developed his people skills - in the mud holes of Vietnam as a Special Forces soldier, in his many years of classroom teaching, or in his years on the coach's bench - but he surely is one of the most remarkable students of human nature I have ever known."
- Keith A. Gould, Professor Emeritus, Norwich University

Gordon L. Pierce '73 & '84 graduated from Lyndon with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1973 and a M.Ed. in Counseling/Education in 1984.  He played collegiate soccer for four years, basketball for two years and baseball for three years. As a student, Pierce was active as president of the Physical Education Majors Club and president of the graduate student body.

Pierce began working as a teacher and coach in 1972, retiring in 2005 after 33 years. From 1973-1976, he worked at Whitcomb High School and Bethel Elementary as the athletic director and physical education teacher. He coached boys' varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball. 

From 1976-1989, Pierce worked for the Danville School as athletic director and physical education instructor. There he also coached boys' varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball. Danville School was named the first Physical Fitness Demonstration Center by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness during Pierce's tenure. 

Milestones in his coaching at Danville included a state championship in soccer in 1987, and state runners-up in 1984, 1986, and 1989. He coached the boys' varsity basketball team to victory in two state championships (1982, 1989), and runners-up in 1981 and 1988. His boys' varsity baseball team was the runner-up in the state championship game in 1979. In addition to coaching these three sports, Pierce was the coordinator of the grade 3-12 School Gymnastics Exhibition for five years. 

In 1989, Pierce moved on to work for the Chelsea Public School (K-12). He was the athletic director and physical education instructor. He also served as the boys' varsity basketball coach. Pierce rounded out his teaching career with Who's Who Among Outstanding Educators honors in 2003 and 2004.

Over the course of Pierce's coaching career, he accumulated over 300 basketball wins, over 160 soccer wins, and Vermont Coach-of-the-Year recognition in both1988 and 1989. Fifteen letters of recommendation were submitted in support of Pierce's induction into LSC's Athletic Hall of Fame, many of which came from former players. 

Many of them recalled Pierce's philosophy on conditioning – "legendary workouts" - and how it prepared them to overcome not only their athletic opponents, but life's challenges down the road. Darren White '84 shared, "Athletes who played on his teams still talk of the intensity and passion which was instilled in them by Gordie during our years with him.  He expected us to give the best we could give for our team and we, in turn, respected his passion, energy, dedication, and fairness shown to us.  I believe we all learned from Gordie that as individuals we were able to push ourselves to limits we never imagined possible."

Pierce resides in Danville, Vt. with his wife, Elaine '76.