Meet Hunter.

Hunter Pinke is a lifelong North Dakotan who grew up in the rural town of Wishek, ND. While attending Wishek high school, Hunter participated in Class B basketball, 9-man football, track and field, American Legion baseball, FFA, International and State Science Fairs, Science Olympiad, choir, band, piano festivals, drama and speech. He graduated in 2016 as the valedictorian of his class of 18 students.

Hunter went on to pursue a college education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. In addition to his studies, Hunter was a tight end on the UND football team and served as team captain for the 2020-2021 season. During his time at UND, Hunter served for three years on the leadership team of the UND Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is devout Christian.

In the winter of 2019, Hunter was injured while skiing in Keystone, Colo. He suffered a severe spinal cord injury and a broken back after a collision with another skier propelled Hunter into a tree. Hunter was airlifted off the mountain and underwent an eight-hour surgery at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood, Colo. Hunter suffered a complete spinal cord injury, leaving him currently paralyzed from his chest down.

Hunter did his spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo.

Hunter returned to the University of North Dakota where he graduated with a bachelors of science in Mechanical Engineering. Hunter recently graduated in the Spring of 2024 from the University of Arizona with a graduate degree in real estate development while also competing on the University of Arizona Wheelchair Basketball Team where he served as team captain the past two seasons.

 

Hunter’s greatest passions include outdoor recreation in rural North Dakota and Minnesota, participating in or being a fan of any type of athletics, and sharing his story of gratefulness and overcoming adversity throughout the country.

Day by Day: The Hunter Pinke Story

From a Division 1 college football player to a chest-down paraplegic, an inside look at the day by day story of Hunter Pinke.