A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor Alise Svihla, Associate Athletic Director at Coastal Carolina University, thank her for her invaluable contributions to student athletes, and wish her strength and health as she battles cancer.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that Alise Svihla, the highly-respected associate athletic director who oversees Student-Athlete Academic Services at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is battling stage four colorectal cancer; and

Whereas, since earning a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and a master's degree from Florida State University, Ms. Svihla has enjoyed years in a professional career in higher education, starting at Florida State University, James Madison University, the University of South Carolina, and Virginia Tech, all working in athletic academic support and in career development; and

Whereas, passionate about seeing her student athletes succeed and achieve their goals, Ms. Svihla has enjoyed watching their games for the past years at CCU and building lifelong relationships with them; and

Whereas, besides the creation of opportunities to promote collegiality between athletes and coaches, fellow students, and faculty members, she has helped countless individual student athletes at CCU as a mentor to them and helped many to reach their goals; and

Whereas, with her warm and personal concern for each individual she meets, she shared her story about her battle with cancer during Colorectal Awareness Month to encourage others to be more engaged with their health and to have early screening; and

Whereas, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in October 2022, shortly after her fortieth birthday. While back in Virginia undergoing treatment, she worked at CCU remotely and received chemotherapy every other week, and was approved to return to CCU in the fall of 2023; and

Whereas, now she continues her battle and chemotherapy. However, this difficult situation has not prevented her from the continued support of CCU, as she continues to be on the go daily, meeting the needs of CCU student athletes; and

Whereas, her community, student athletes, and coworkers, whom she has supported so passionately, have now been seeking to support her through encouraging texts and emails and fundraisers for her medical expenses; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the dedicated, selfless work of Alise Svihla at CCU to support and shape the lives of young student athletes in the Palmetto State, and the members express their continued encouragement for her recovery.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Alise Svihla, Associate Athletic Director at Coastal Carolina University, thank her for her invaluable contributions to student athletes, and wish her strength and health as she battles cancer.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Alise Svihla.

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