Pinke Strong: The Story of Hunter’s Accident, Recovery, and Community
The morning of December 27, 2019, Hunter Pinke was just another college kid looking for ways to enjoy his holiday break. The UND Fighting Hawks had just wrapped their football season, and Hunter had headed to Keystone, CO with a teammate to do some skiing. It was meant to be an easy run down the mountain when a collision with another skier sent him hurtling into a tree.
In the fraction of a second before impact, football instinct took over. Hunter tucked his head like a ball carrier bracing for a tackle. His doctor later told him that move had probably saved his life.
He was airlifted off the mountain, rushed to St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood, CO. From his hospital bed, Pinke took to Twitter: "Surgery in a bit and then the recovery process begins. Can't wait to get to work. I WILL WALK AGAIN!!"
Within days, a GoFundMe had raised over $153,000. Cards and support poured in from across North Dakota. On January 6, Pinke transferred to Craig Hospital in Englewood — a spinal cord rehabilitation center he called his "training camp." When nurses tried to prepare him for the good days and bad days ahead, he refused the framing entirely. He wasn't going to have bad days. That was that.
After 90 days in Colorado, he flew home to North Dakota in late March 2020, his rehab cut slightly short by the emerging pandemic. His father and grandfather had spent months converting the family farmhouse into a wheelchair-accessible home. That summer, he spoke publicly for the first time at his home church in Wishek. The livestream drew 1,000 viewers and eventually reached 20,000.
That fall, he returned to UND, finished his mechanical engineering degree, and served as a senior captain of the football team. By December, the Grand Forks Herald named him their 2020 Person of the Year. On the one-year anniversary of the accident, he sat at his grandparents' farm and reflected. One year. No bad days.
In the years since, Pinke earned a graduate degree from the University of Arizona, captained their wheelchair basketball team, and built a national speaking career around his "No Bad Days" philosophy. In August 2024, a video of his speech to the Alabama Crimson Tide went viral, nearing a million views on X. College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit saw it and wrote two words: "What perspective!"
He tours schools, boardrooms, and stadiums now, telling every audience the same thing: adversity will come for everyone. The one variable we can control is ourselves, and we get to decide how we rise to the challenge.
Day by Day: The Hunter Pinke Story
Hunter shared the story of his accident, his recovery, and the vital things that helped him adjust to a different future: his faith, his community, and an mindset rooted in ownership and choice. This journey was the catalyst that led to the No Bad Days framework.
Hunter’s Story in the News
UND football player involved in ski accident in Colorado Valley News Live | December 27, 2019
UND football player injured in skiing accident AM 1100 The Flag WZFG | December 28, 2019
UND's Hunter Pinke suffers spinal injury in Colorado ski accident Grand Forks Herald | December 28, 2019
UND football player suffers spinal injury in ski accident Williston Herald | December 28, 2019
Hunter Pinke, injured UND football player, transferred to rehab hospital Grand Forks Herald | January 7, 2020
Prayer service, fundraiser to be held next week for Hunter Pinke Grand Forks Herald | January 10, 2020
How Hunter Pinke manages to feel lucky even after a severe spinal injury Grand Forks Herald | February 25, 2020
How watching the GoPro video of his accident helped Hunter Pinke find closure and turn his attention to new life goals Grand Forks Herald | February 28, 2020
How Hunter Pinke went from motivating teammates to inspiring an entire community Grand Forks Herald | February 28, 2020
Hunter Pinke, the UND football player who severed his spine in a ski accident, is coming home after 90 days recovering in Colorado Grand Forks Herald | March 25, 2020
UND's Hunter Pinke is coming home after 90 days recovering from ski accident in Colorado The Dickinson Press | March 26, 2020
Hunter Pinke named Grand Forks Herald's 2020 Person of the Year Grand Forks Herald | December 2020
Here's a look back at the Herald's top stories of 2020 Grand Forks Herald | January 11, 2021
UND football captain Hunter Pinke, who severed his spine in a 2019 ski accident, will enroll to Arizona to compete in adapted track and field Grand Forks Herald | Early 2021
Hunter Pinke UND Alumni Association & Foundation | October 5, 2021
A Story of Overcoming Hurdles: Hunter Pinke Heather Earles | July 15, 2021
2 years after a skiing accident left him paralyzed, Hunter Pinke refuses to have 'bad days' InForum | January 13, 2022
Hunter Pinke delivers inspiring message, thanks community at UND's Delta Gamma Lectureship Grand Forks Herald | April 26, 2023
Paralyzed athlete-turned-speaker brings message of resilience to Dickinson The Dickinson Press | August 15, 2024
No Bad Days: Hunter Pinke Brings His Powerful Message to Dickinson State Dickinson State University | August 22, 2024
Entrepreneurial Perspective: No Bad Days with Hunter Pinke Minot State University | October 30, 2025
'No Bad Days,' Pinke spreads positivity to elementary students Frazee-Vergas Forum | March 31, 2026
The One Pebble Podcast: Hunter Pinke Shares About No Bad Days
In this episode of The One Pebble Podcast, Kristine and Harris sit down with Hunter Pinke; former University of North Dakota Football team captain, whose life changed in an instant because of a ski accident.
Hunter is a lifelong North Dakotan who grew up in the rural town of Wishek, ND. 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. He 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 did his spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo.
The Basketball Academy: Hunter Pinke on Leadership, Faith & No Bad Days
This week on the pod we got to chat with the great Hunter Pinke.
Hunter is an inspiring person, athlete & motivational speaker. He was a standout football player for the University of North Dakota when a skiing accident in 2019 left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this life-altering injury, Pinke has embraced his new reality with incredible determination, transitioning into a career of motivational speaking, sharing his journey of resilience, and inspiring others to overcome their own challenges.
Known for his positive attitude and faith-driven perspective, Pinke has become a symbol of hope for many, both within and beyond the athletic community.
Hunter Pinke's Letter of Appreciation to UND Alumni
Hunter Pinke has graduated from the University of North Dakota and is moving on to the next chapter of his life as he pursues a master's degree in Architecture from the University of Arizona.
In this video, he reads a letter he wrote to alumni and others who have supported him during his time at UND.
KX News: Hunter Pinke Shares His Story to Inspire Community
Hunter Pinke shares his story to inspire community.
UND Football: Hunter Pinke's Story of Adversity
Hunter Pinke tells his story of adversity and overcoming obstacles.
Midco Sports Magazine features “Hunter Pinke: No Bad Days”
A skiing accident changed Hunter Pinke's life. Now, this University of North Dakota senior is setting out to change the world. Alex Heinert shares Hunter's story on Episode #100 of Midco Sports Magazine.
Midco Sports Network brings you the most up-to-date sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for local and regional sports you care about through live games and original programming.
More on MidcoSN.com: https://www.midcosn.com/
No Bad Days: Bell Bank Pays It Forward for Hunter Pinke
When Hunter Pinke was severely injured in a skiing accident at just 22 years old, he relied on his faith and the help of other people to push through, determined not to let the tough days steal his joy.
Gus Schlepp, a Bell credit officer, and Julia Stetz, a personal banking representative at Bell's Timber Creek location in Fargo, N.D., learned about the accident, they rallied their co-workers to pool Pay It Forward funds to help.
UND Alumni: Hunter Pinke's Message to UND Champions Club Members
University of North Dakota Mechanical Engineering major Hunter Pinke, '21, shares how he's doing since a skiing accident left him paralyzed in December. He talks about his new role with the UND Football team, the impact of his athletic scholarship, and has a special message for ND Champions Club members.
UND: Hunter Pinke's Message to the Class of 2020
Hunter Pinke, current mechanical engineering major and member of the UND football team, offers his congratulations and advice to the UND Class 2020. Hunter is recovering from a skiing accident. His courage and resolve through his challenging situation represents what it means to be a Leader in Action.
UND will hold a virtual commencement on Saturday, May 16 at https://und.edu/academics/commencement/.
Founded in 1883, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state's largest.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/