Former Scranton Student-Athlete Conquers Cancer to Become Mom, Coach and Inspiration

Story by Sara Rinkunas, Assistant Athletic Director, Penn State Scranton

It’s past 8:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose building on the Scranton campus as Head Volleyball Coach Mollie Demkosky calls for her team to warm up. As she carries her newborn son, her one-year-old in tow and her brother assisting, Mollie serves as a true symbol of the words on her squad’s warm-up tees, which read “One Team, One Family”.

Mollie, now a mother of two young boys, one of whom was born only a few weeks before the 2022 fall season began, wasn’t always sure she would be able have the family she dreamt of with her high school sweetheart, Paul, or even become a coach in the sport she loves. Giving up was not an option, however, for the young woman who was recruited to the Penn State Scranton Women’s Volleyball team for the 2012 season from Tunkhannock High School. Waking up early to work on her family farm as a groomer, farm hand and horse trainer, and studying Animal Sciences while being a dual-sport athlete in volleyball and softball was just the tip of the iceberg in areas that Mollie excelled.

“Mollie is someone who loves volleyball and someone I see that loves to share her passion for the game and for Penn State,” former teammate, Scranton Head Softball Coach Mar Tsakonas said.

As an undergrad in her second season as a Lady Lion, Mollie was the rallying point for the squad, who lost some key players to injury early in the season and was in peril of folding the season. Meeting with then Athletic Director, Jeff Mallas, the sophomore pushed daily to save the season, ultimately starting their rebuilding process. Mollie left her mark at Scranton after that year, having created lasting memories on the volleyball court, on the softball field and in the classroom, as she finished out her 2 years at Penn State Scranton with three PSUAC Academic All-Conference Awards.

Mollie was on to bigger things her junior year, as she moved to University Park, studying Animal and Equine Sciences, and after a few years she was planning her wedding with her now husband, Paul, who had followed her to Penn State, and she was attending vet school in Grenada and working to become the doctor she dreamt of. Life had other plans, however, and the 24-year-olds life was about to suddenly change.

“When the head of thoracic at UPenn calls you and tells you that you need to come home now, you just do it,” she remembers while studying at St. George’s University in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. Mollie was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic and immune systems and while it was devastating to leave her dreams behind, her life depended on it. The next few months for Mollie were spent in a hospital undergoing chemotherapy, leaving her 3,000 miles away from vet school and with a whole new outlook on life.

“I was very career oriented when I went into vet school. I put everything else on the backburner, it was all about my studies,” said Mollie, looking back. “They tell you all the scary things, like you might not be able to have kids or this and that,” she recalls. “When you hear all those things as someone who’s supposed to be getting married and starting their family, it changes how you feel.”

Mollie, however, always thinking of others, was worried how her then fiancé would be able to have a family. “I was worried about having to cut Paul loose so he could have a family,” Mollie remembers, getting choked up at the idea of not being with her high school sweetheart who she just celebrated 13 years with, “he was an only child and the last boy in his family line at the time. My priorities changed, my family became the most important thing in my life.”

Mollie remembers applying for the volleyball position at Scranton as an assistant four years ago. “I needed something positive in my life after everything,” she said, “so I took a chance and applied.” A few years and two babies later, Mollie is now at the helm of the program, making big strides.

Mollie's family-oriented lifestyle is not only seen off the court, she coaches with her brother Jack Fenwick, serving as her assistant for the last two seasons. Jack, who is known to be a bit more vocal than Mollie during play, attributes the fantastic dynamic he has with his sister to the recent milestones the team achieved, like making it to the post-season last year. “Mollie knows more about what its like to be a student-athlete at PSU Scranton. She reels me in a bit and we balance each other out,” Jack said.

Like most siblings, they had their falling outs, but Jack is thankful that they started getting closer when she went away to vet school. “She has used that awful experience to better herself both as a person and a coach. Every day she shows me how strong she is and watching her raise two amazing kids has been awesome. I can honestly say my life is so much better with her in it. As a coach she is kind, caring and has so much knowledge of the game. She has made every player she coached better and has made me a better coach,” Jack said.

“Coach has impacted me on the court by always being so supportive and showing us you can really do it all,” said sophomore captain Kylie Lynch. “She coached us while taking care of a newborn and she is always interested in how we are doing in school.” When asked what its like to play under Coach Demkosky, Kylie says, “You have to be hardworking and dedicated to the team. She will push you and give you the tools you need to succeed, but its up to you to follow through.” Following through seems like a small task for the players, who watch their coach put her all into every day.

After spending almost a decade at Penn State Scranton both playing and coaching, Mollie seamlessly blends both her family and her PSU family. Her assistant and brother Jack said, “ Mollie has so many amazing qualities it is hard to narrow it down to one, but if I had to, I would say it is the way she honestly cares for every player we have and everyone in her life. She has so much love in her heart for everyone in her life, it is amazing.”

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma affects 8,500-9,000 people a year in the U.S., most commonly diagnosed in women in early adulthood. For more information about Hodgkin’s Lymphoma visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.