BOSTON – The Howlin' Huskies Fund is excited to spotlight baseball alumnus Kris Dabrowiecki '09 this month.
 
Dabrowiecki was a member of the Northeastern baseball team from 2005-08. He started 41 games over the course of his career, facing a total of 1,269 batters in 286 innings. He ranks 3^rd all-time on the Huskies' career wins list (21) as well as 6^th all-time in career strikeouts (236). During the 2007 season, he won seven games, which is currently a top 10 mark for victories in a single season. He was named America East Rookie of the Week three times on his way to earning a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team during his rookie campaign.
 
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Dabrowiecki is currently a relationship manager in the financial services industry and resides in New Jersey.
 
What is your fondest memory from your time as a Northeastern student-athlete?
 
I was fortunate to play baseball with an incredible group of teammates who are now lifelong friends. They are also one of the reasons I stayed in the U.S. after graduation. We battled together on the field and in the weight room as well as had a lot of great experiences outside of baseball. A single memory that sticks out and keeps coming to mind is being the starting pitcher against the Boston Red Sox in our annual spring training game. I got the chance to be the starting pitcher against Josh Beckett and also pitch against a future Hall of Famer, David Ortiz.
 
What was the most important lesson you learned as a Northeastern student-athlete?
 
There are the obvious lessons of being a student athlete: teamwork, time management, positivity, etc. However, the most important thing I did was to start getting involved in different organizations at Northeastern (such as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), taking leadership roles and networking. I wish I got started with that earlier in my journey, but it helped me gain confidence as well as understand the importance of a strong network and helping to make an impact on people. 
 
When I reflect on my time at NU, I also realize the importance of asking questions and taking charge of your career as early as possible. There are so many resources at NU that can help set you up for success, and it is important to understand what you will face in the future. There is always someone willing to help you at NU!
 
How has graduating from Northeastern affected your life?
 
Northeastern gave me a great base from which to launch into professional life. I was able to meet many great people and establish a strong network to tap into after graduation. I was also fortunate to meet a great alumnus who helped me secure my second co-op role at Brown Brothers Harriman, where I ended up working after graduation and continue to build my career 11 years later. I continue to be connected to NU through the alumni community and am always excited about who I may meet.
 
What advice would you give current Northeastern student-athletes?
 
I always encourage any student I meet to take advantage of EVERYTHING the university has to offer. It is great to be part of a team at Northeastern but having the opportunity to attend such a great school, with all the resources it has to offer, is too important not to take full advantage of. The school is very entrepreneurial, has great professors and an incredible network of employers. Student-athletes should network, meet as many people as possible and ask all the questions on their mind to help set them up for their successful professional lives after sports. 

I would also encourage student-athletes to stay engaged in the NU alumni community after graduation. I have enjoyed and benefitted from every volunteer and networking experience I participated in since graduating.
 
Why do you support Northeastern Athletics?
 
I had a great experience during my years as a student-athlete and built a great professional network at Northeastern. I arrived at the university solely because of baseball and strongly believe that it is important to constantly see NU Athletics and the baseball program getting better each year. Therefore, I enjoy giving my time and supporting NU Athletics any way I can. Head coach Mike Glavine has done a great job with the baseball program and I am confident he will continue taking it to the next level. 

I also value mentoring tremendously. There is so much I didn't know when I was at NU and I want to pass on what I have learned to students. It feels good to have made a positive impact.

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