Malone's Looney Olympic Torchbearer

Malone College softball coach Sharon Looney has been selected as a 2002 Winter Olympic torchbearer, according to a release from the school.

Looney earned the honor from Coca-Cola and Chevrolet -- which sponsor the torch runs -- for donating a large portion of her liver in April to Malone basketball coach and athletic director Hal Smith.

She donated 60 percent of the organ, and at the time it was only the fifth living donor transplant to be performed at the Cleveland Clinic. Both Looney and Smith have made full recoveries, with their livers regenerating to normal size.

Malone acquisition librarian Jackie Hisrich nominated Looney for the honor. Other faculty, staff and students wrote letters of support to the Torch Run selection committee.

``I was surprised and speechless to learn of this wonderful honor,'' Looney said.

``I hope it furthers transplant education.''

The upcoming torch run will begin in Atlanta and wind up in Salt Lake City, site of the Winter Games. Looney likely will carry the torch for a half-mile somewhere near Cleveland.

Copyright © 2001 The Akron Beacon Journal.

This article posted October 20, 2001.