2020.21 Hockey Mom Of The Year

Melanie Berry

Congratulations to Melanie Berry of South Hills Amateur Hockey Association on being named Hockey Mom of the Year for the 2021 season! Berry was one of four monthly winners who earned the Hockey Mom of the Year title after being selected from a diverse judging panel. As a mom of three, Teegan; Kaden; Kylee, Berry is busy both on and off the ice. For the last several years, Berry has served as the Business Manager for her son Teegan's Bantam team where she is responsible for organizing fundraisers, team gatherings, and the fees and information needed for tournaments. Berry goes beyond these regular duties, though, as she views her hockey community as a part of her family. She makes sure the families of the players feel supported and appreciated by coordinating baby shower gifts, sympathy cards, etc. for all of life's important moments. There is no better display of Berry's penchant to be pro-active and think of others than when she participated in a newer medical procedure called a liver swap. After finding out that her husband's uncle needed a liver donation, Berry was tested to see if she was a match. While not a match for her own family, she was an exact match for another patient whose donor was also a match for her family. Berry became a donor, and the medical procedure was done for only the second time ever thus saving the lives of two people. Shortly after the liver swap procedure, Berry was diagnosed with breast cancer. Battling cancer did not slow Berry down. She continued to work as a full-time Civil Engineer inspecting bridges in the tri-state area, being an active volunteer in her children's elementary schools, and of course, giving back to her hockey community. Congratulations Melanie on being named Hockey Mom of the Year!