Impact of a Scholarship: Mike Mollot

Before Mike Mollot took his official visit to the University of Maryland, he wanted to cancel it. He had his mind made up that he would commit to Syracuse University, and play lacrosse for the Orange. However, Mollot’s father forced him to go on the visit because he had made that commitment. 

When the visit ended, Mollot’s mind had changed. Less than 48 hours after the visit had concluded, Mollot had committed to play lacrosse for Dick Edell and the Maryland Terrapins.

“Just being around the coaches and the players, it became apparent how strong the bonds were on the team,” Mollot said. “The blue-collar work ethic of the team resonated with a lot of who I was.”

Before enrolling at Maryland, Mollot was a star in high school. Despite only playing two seasons for Sachem High School on Long Island, he set records for career points (209) and assists (115), to go along with single-season records for points (113) and assists (70). 

Once at Maryland, Mollot would continue to be a star, but only after a setback. His freshman season ended before it could start, as he broke his leg and tore ligaments in his ankle in January 1999.

Once healthy, Mollot shined in the next four of his seasons as a Terp. He scored at least 15 goals every season, eclipsing 20 twice, and dished out at least 19 assists every season, passing the 20-mark three times. He wound up totaling 77 goals and 95 assists for his career, for 172 career points, ranking on the all-time lists in the Top 20 at the time of graduation.

Mollot racked up awards while at Maryland, being named All-ACC and All-American twice. He was also nominated for the Tewaaraton Trophy, given to the nation’s best lacrosse player, in 2002.

Many of Mollot’s favorite memories at Maryland came from the environment within the lacrosse program. 

“To this day, some of my strongest friendships are with former teammates. The bonds we created were fostered by our first coach, Coach Edell, it was like a family you're spending all this time with these guys. It's just a ton of hard work you're putting in with them. But it’s [his favorite memories] certainly hands down the relationships I’ve built with the teammates.”

The environment within the Lacrosse program also helped Mollot grow as a person during his five years at the University of Maryland. He cited the resources at the University, along with his teammates and the environment within the program, for most of his maturity while at college. He says the blue-collar work-ethic and perseverance that Maryland Lacrosse taught him still impact him today.

Mollot also enjoyed being a student at Maryland, particularly because of the success that other Maryland Terrapins teams were having. Some of his favorite memories while at Maryland were the 2002 National Championship in men’s basketball and the football team playing in the 2002 Orange Bowl. 

Other Maryland athletic achievements weren’t the only highlights of his college career, as he also met his wife Becky, who played for the women’s lacrosse team. 

While he says he might not have realized it then, Mollot now recognizes and appreciates what being on a scholarship meant. 

“With respect to being on scholarship, candidly, I probably was a little ignorant to it until I graduated from college,” he said. “Then you realize you're able to make life decisions about your future employment without the stress of having to pay back college loans ... And, also being a student-athlete, it’s challenging managing your time between school and sports. So lifting the burden of having to also worry about how am I going to pay for these college loans was invaluable.”

Along with not having to pay back any student loans, being on scholarship at Maryland helped Mollot foster relationships that have helped him to this day. 

Although he spent five years playing in Major League Lacrosse, Mollot entered the professional world almost immediately after graduation. The first job he had after college was for an office supply company, a job he was able to get because of a job fair the athletic department had hosted. 

Mollot is grateful for the Terrapin Club and the impact it makes on Maryland student-athletes. 

"What the Terrapin Club is providing to these athletes is invaluable,” said Mollot. “My father was a teacher and a coach and my mom stayed at home with my two sisters and I, so we didn't have the resources, the extensive college funds. So just the scholarships providing families that don't have the means to pay for college. So it's invaluable what the Terrapin Club provides University of Maryland athletes with."

Today, Mollot works for Tray Inc., a print communications and technology solutions company, as the Senior Director of Business Development. He still is involved with the game of lacrosse, coaching both of his sons’ club lacrosse teams. 

He also still follows Maryland Lacrosse, and all three of his kids are big fans of the team. Mollot is excited by the undefeated start to the Terps’ season and believes the team could win the National Championship.