The LaGrange College men's basketball program mourns the passing of former assistant coach Michael Freilich. Freilich was an assistant coach for the Panthers during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
The Panthers went 18-11 during the 2016-17 season, winning their third USA South Tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III National Tournament for a fourth straight year. Freilich, 30, was in his first season as assistant coach at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. He came to Hartwick after a stint at SUNY-Oneonta.
Panthers' coach Kendal Wallace shared his memories of Freilich.
"Mike was a great guy, someone who knew how to reach people. We played Eastern Connecticut State where he was a manager in a tournament in Daytona Beach and after the game he came up and started talking hoops with me. I'm like, "who is this guy??" By the end of the conversation, I offered him an opportunity to be my graduate assistant. I knew right away that he was a hard worker, energy guy, and would be great around our student athletes. What I got was much more than that. I got a friend. I got a guy who was extremely knowledgeable about the game. I got a guy my own children looked up to and enjoyed being around. I got a guy who stood for the same things that our program stood for in developing relationships, working in an ethical and moral standard, and making sure we as coaches were always doing everything that we can to make our student athletes have a great college experience. Mike was so happy to marry his love Meg this past summer and I am very thankful that I attended the wedding. Life is so precious. Mike will certainly be missed by his colleagues and all others in the basketball community, especially D3."
While coaching with the Panthers, Freilich received a Master of Arts degree in Philanthropy and Development from LaGrange College.
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