Mason Dopirak, a three-year starting guard on the Manitowoc Lincoln High School Boys Basketball team, has signed a letter of intent to attend NCAA-Division-2 Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Mason, the son of Dr. Ryan and Beth Dopirak, of Newton, selected the Orediggers over Michigan Tech & the University of Chicago. Mason told SeehaferNews.com he chose that school because, “We went there and I really liked the campus, and I’ve had a great relationship with the coaches.”
While the coaches at Mines tend to redshirt their freshmen, Mason said the coaches told him “He could see me coming in and having an impact right away.”
Dopirak, the 2nd all-time leading scorer in Lincoln history hopes to help his teammates win an FRCC title and break the school scoring record this winter. “My 
goal is to win the conference,” he said. “We’re up for it and I think we have the assets to do it.”
Manitowoc Lincoln Athletic Director Dave Steavpack mentioned Mason’s supportive parents and his brothers Michael and Matus, but also pointed out that Coach Cornell has helped make the 2019-’20 FRCC player of the year what he is today. Steavpack pointed to Coach Cornell unlocking the gym every day for Mason, and supporting him throughout his high school career.
Mason also has the highest academic rating in his senior class of 380 students and would like to pursue a medical degree.
Colorado School of Mines is currently the 13th ranked team in the country and does play some Division-1 opponents.
