NAME: Shawna (Molcak) Kolaczek (Class of 2020-21)
UNIVERSITY: Lethbridge
CATEGORY: Student-athlete
SPORT: Women's basketball
YEARS ACTIVE: 1987-91
HIGHLIGHTS:
Four-time Pronghorns Female Athlete of the Year
1989 Canada West Player of the Year
Lethbridge all-time leading scorer (1,551)
Canadian Olympian (1996 Atlanta)
BIO:
Over five outstanding seasons at the University of Lethbridge, Shawna (Molcak) Kolaczek wrote a resume that most student-athletes could only dream of.
The Cardston, Alberta product joined the Pronghorns women's basketball program in the fall of 1987, setting in motion a Canada West basketball career that would springboard her to a professional career, and a decade on the international stage.
A talented guard, Kolaczek was a five-time conference all-star for the Horns and in 1988 was a CIAU national tournament all-star when Lethbridge hosted the event.
During the 1988-89 season she reached the height of her individual dominance, leading Canada West in scoring with 20.2 points per game. Her 85 assists were also tops in CW that season, as she was unanimously selected as CW Player of the Year.
By the time she concluded her university career in the spring of 1991, Kolaczek had amassed a program best 1,551 points and 368 assists - the former remains one of the best in conference history, sitting 12th all-time as of 2020.
While finishing her university career, Kolaczek made her international debut in 1990, donning the maple leaf for the first time at the World Student Games, winning bronze. That would mark the beginning of a decade long run representing Canada, which also included a seventh-place finish at the 1994 World Championships, along with a berth at the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta.
In addition to her time on the national team, which culminated in 2000 and featured two years as team captain, Kolaczek crafted a successful pro career in Greece (one season) and Germany (seven seasons, including three as an all-star).
The Pronghorn legend, who was voted the No. 6 athlete in school history and also one of the top 100 players in U SPORTS history, currently lives in Germany.
Written by Evan Daum