Posted on Friday, December 09, 2022
In basketball, much like life, there are barricades that test a person’s resilience. Cooper Dolhancyk ’24, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of six, has been able to overcome his obstacles by choosing to view his challenges as opportunities.
“Life isn’t always fair and there aren’t any re-dos, so I make the best out of any chance given,” he said.
While diabetes has its difficulties, Dolhancyk said that does not keep him from participating in extracurricular activities or playing as a forward on the Panther basketball team.
“The only difference between me and non-diabetic student-athletes is I must be very aware of how my body is feeling while playing,” he said. “If I feel a little dizzy or lightheaded, then I need to grab some sugar, and if I become very tired and lethargic, I need insulin. Using an insulin pump has made life so much easier for me because it eliminates taking shots completely.”
Dolhancyk said having Coach Kendal Wallace and his teammates as his support system has been a tremendous help to him.
“Coach Wallace always checks on me before games to make sure I have a Powerade or ask if I need a snack,” he said. “As for my teammates, there have been times when I ran out of a sugary drink, and they have given me theirs or even offered to buy me a drink.”
When it comes to playing basketball, Coach Wallace said Cooper is a tireless worker.
“He has a very positive attitude and comes to practice every day with energy and enthusiasm,” Wallace said. “Cooper is always helping the freshmen to understand what I’m looking for in certain drills as well as making sure they stay engaged and focused during practice.”
Off the court, Dolhancyk is pursuing a double major in Psychological Science and Political Science.
“My professors have done a great job in helping me follow my ambitions,” he said. “In one of my courses with Political Science Professor John Tures, I had the opportunity to do moot court, which is one of the coolest things I have done.”
Dr. Tures said Cooper’s in-class enthusiasm matches what he does on the court.
“In our law class, he is on the spot, just as he would be in the game, and he can certainly come through in the clutch,” he said. “I have been happy to have him as one of our researchers as well on projects in classes.”
Dolhancyk, who also participates in Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars and Panther Activities Committee, said he plans to attend law school and become a personal injury lawyer after graduation.
“I chose this profession because of my dad,” he said. “He owns and manages his own law firm, so over the years I have been able to see him work and help others. Because of this, I've grown to have a huge interest in law and becoming a lawyer.”
Members of the Wisteria Garden Club recently delivered their annual Survival Gift Bags to the campus post office. Each fall, the club gives parents of LC students the opportunity to send their child a Survival Gift Bag before final exams. From left are Bonnie Funderburk Dudley ‘75, Elaine Howard, Marjorie Steis Bowling ‘58, Genie Sutton, Alesia Nixon, Suzanne Countess Cook “92, Harriet Wiggley, Robin Copeland and Ann Blackwell.
The Career Center and Sports Management Program are teaming up to take students to the Atlanta Sports & Entertainment Career Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at noon, in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The event is open to all majors. The registration fee and transportation will be covered by the school. Participants need to arrive on campus a few hours prior to the event. Interested students are asked to contact Mary Eppling (Assistant Director of Career Services and Internship Coordinator) at meppling@lagrange.edu by Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Attendees are asked to wear professional attire and bring multiple copies of their final resume.
"Why I chose LaGrange College" — Aria Mabry
Aria Mabry, a musical theatre major from Pine Mountain, Georgia, recounts the events that led up to her choosing to attend LaGrange College.
Football
Senior tight end De’Queze Fryer was named to the D3football.com All-Region Second Team.
Men’s Basketball
The Panthers (5-3) ended their three-game winning streak with a 86-68 loss to nationally ranked Emory on Wednesday night. Zac Hill led the team with 18 points.
Women’s Basketball
LC (5-3) captured an exciting come-from-behind victory Sunday over Asbury 78-70. The Panthers battled back from a 21-point third quarter deficit. On Wednesday, the team ended its three-game winning streak with a 60-43 loss to Point.
Freshman Laila Battle was named Rookie of the Week for the Collegiate Conference of the South. She posted 18 points, six rebounds and four assists in the win over Asbury.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Women’s Basketball at Troy University, 1 p.m., Troy, Alabama
Category: Academics, Students, Community
Keywords: Basketball, Career, Political Science
