MONDAY, FEB 7, 2011
Candice Coots

Inspiring Youth Bowler Strikes Out Cancer

By Candice Coots in

Each month Weplay honors a young athlete who best embodies sportsmanship and a passion for sports. Someone who loves to play, enjoys competition and brings that extra spark to a team. Our January Athlete of the Month achieves this and so much more. He inspires.

You see, 16-year-old Eric Mandzuch, an avid bowler from Los Angeles recently recovered from eye cancer - losing his left eye in the battle.

Just last month, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and PBA teamed up to recognize Mandzuch's strength and perseverance, hooking him up with PBA Hall of Famer and all-time titles leader Walter Ray Williams Jr,. for a round of play.

Mandzuch who averages 194, gave Williams a run for his money at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, CA. during their January match. But for Mandzuch's loved ones and Weplay family, the event was a well-deserved experience for a young man who gives so much to the sport and teammates he loves.


"The thing I love most about sports is being active and actually being able to do the sport itself," wrote our humble Athlete of the Month.

For him, playing a sport is a privilege - a precious opportunity to enjoy, learn and share. And cancer or no cancer, he's got the stories to boot. "About six years ago, I ended up scoring 33 points in a semi final basketball game to take our team to the championship," shared Eric of his most prized achievement playing sports.

This spring, Mandzuch continues the ride, participating on the Junior Amateur Tour, a travel bowing league in his area. Thankfully, the Southern California teen always finds time to update and share with his Weplay network. "Weplay is a great way to meet other young athletes, talk sports and gain valuable information," he wrote.

Weplay is all the better for having a rousing youth athlete such as yourself engaging in our community. Congratualation on your Athlete of the Month honor Eric. Keep up the great work.

Tell us how Eric's story has inspired you and we'll give you 50 Weplay points for sharing! Leave your thoughts in the comment area by Friday February 11th to qualify.

31 comments

  • February 07, 2011

    Congratulations, Eric. Well deserved. You set a great example of how to deal with adversity in a strong, positive, and healthy way!

  • February 07, 2011

    Congrats Eric!!!
    You are honestly a great person and im glad i cam to weplay and met you

  • Skylar and Ara is awesome
    Skylar and Ara is awesome
    February 07, 2011

    Congrats Eric!

    You are a trooper for surviving through eye cancer! You Rule!!

  • Joseph
    Joseph
    February 07, 2011

    Congrats Eric! You story shows how someone can grab life and control it. You will be a big inspiration to everyone here on Weplay and everywhere for that mater it they hear your story.

  • February 07, 2011

    it shows a good example to never give up your dream

  • February 08, 2011

    I agree with Brian, Weplay and I think are very inspiring to everyone!!!!! We love that you NEVER SAY NEVER!!!!!! Go Eric!!!!!!!

  • February 08, 2011

    you really deserved this award ERIC

  • February 09, 2011

    congrats eric

  • February 09, 2011

    Excellent!

  • February 09, 2011

    Congratulations Erin. Im so happy you won athlete of the month and fought through cancer. WAY TO GO

  • February 09, 2011

    Congratulations, Eric! You are a class act!

  • Sam
    February 09, 2011

    Nice tackle!

  • February 10, 2011

    Eric I am so proud of you stickin through everything you are a one in a million guy who does never give up and even helps people with there troubles along the way thank you for all your help and for your encouragement in everything you are a great friend!!!

  • February 10, 2011

    Great

  • February 10, 2011

    Super guy - way to go Eric!

  • February 10, 2011

    Congrats! :D

  • February 10, 2011

    Way to go Eric way to keep going and not quit.

  • Ara
    February 10, 2011

    it inspires me to keep going even if things are down

  • February 10, 2011

    Great job Eric!

  • February 10, 2011

    Good Job Eric I love that you're getting soo much praise! Keep It Up!

  • February 11, 2011

    nice job u r encouraging and nice enough to gett it congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • February 11, 2011

    This tells you to never give up your dreams

  • February 12, 2011

    well, I want to say thank you to all that complimented me on receiving this great honor. and to be honest, none of it would have been possible if it weren't for all the support you show me and how truely nice you are. so I thank you for all that.

  • February 12, 2011

    That's so touching! I mean it doesn't matter if you have a disease such as cancer or not.

  • February 12, 2011

    how sad it is about cancer many people have breast cancer. A guy i know has leukemia. dads roomate all through college my dad went to osu oklahoma state university smartest guy i know good dad to. well about cancer my whole family has leukemia awareness wrest bands to support johny my dads old roomate at least 5 or 6 $ to give to cancer a week

  • February 15, 2011

    your story reals shows how this could be your last aday and give everything your all. Congrats ERIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • February 15, 2011

    Way to go!

  • February 15, 2011

    Well Thank you to all of you who have commented on this. and I do hope more comments show up because I do want to here how my story influenced you or impacted you on how you look at life.

  • February 21, 2011

    Eric, congrats on player of the month. Your story is inspiring and shows how we need to stay positive and keep going no matter what. My mom had cancer, so I know how it effects a person and family! Great job and keep it up!

  • July 04, 2011

    Great job! I love how youve went through cancer and your still an athlete and a very nice guy

  • Kristina Nyshea Juanetta Burgess
    Kristina Nyshea Juanetta Burgess
    November 12, 2011

    I agree

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