The Central Mountain baseball standout always dreamed of having an opportunity to compete collegiately at the highest level possible. The senior took another step closer to his dream.
Dolan, an all-state first baseman, gave a verbal commitment to West Virginia University and will join head coach Greg Van Zant's Mountaineers in the fall of 2010.
The Wildcat took his official visit to West Virginia and knew he found the right fit.
"It's a big college, and a chance to play baseball in the Big East," Dolan said. "Although it's a big place, it kind of reminds me of my hometown. I just fit in really well down there. I thought about it a lot since I've been back and I decided that's where I wanted to go. West Virginia was always pretty high on my list, but after I went for my official visit, I knew that's where I wanted to go.
"It was one of my top choices from the start. It's close enough that my parents will be able to travel to see my games, but yet, it's still far enough away that I could grow up a little bit and see what it's like on my own."
It was the visit with the coaches and team members, in addition to the atmosphere of Morgantown and its dedication to the WVU athletic programs, that made Dolan feel like a welcomed addition.
"It was amazing to see how dedicated everyone was to the athletic programs there," Dolan said. "Their fans are just crazy about their sports. Because there are really no professional teams around there, everyone rallies around West Virginia and its programs."
Dolan said Van Zant mentioned about the opportunity to play as early as his freshman season. As for a position, it's still unknown, as he has played at the corners in the infield and outfield.
"Their team is really based around hitting," Dolan said. "They have a lot of players that can hit the ball to any part of the field. Everything is really based around that. If I could hit, I have an opportunity to play right away."
The Mountaineers are under the direction of Van Zant, who took over the reins of the program in 1994. It's a fairly young team with only four seniors on the 2009-2010 roster. Last season, the Mountaineers finished with a record of 37-18, 17-10 in the Big East, which was good for third behind Louisville and South Florida. The team finished 1-2 in the postseason tournament, but had an impressive 23-5 record in Morgantown.
In Van Zant's 15 years at the school, a total of 41 players have been either drafted or signed by a Major League Baseball team. In addition to shortstop Jedd Gyorko, Dolan said several other players on the team are getting pro looks.
WVU also participates in the annual Big Ten/Big East Challenge, which pits the Mountaineers against Indiana, Iowa and Michigan State in 2010.
"It's a great opportunity to play against some of the best players and best teams in the country," Dolan said. "That's been my dream ever since I was little."
Since the end of the Senior American Legion season in the summer months, Dolan was been participating with a Pittsburgh Pirates' scout team on the weekends since August. There, he travels with the team and plays baseball against some of the best kids in the nation.
"Without playing there, I don't know if I would have received an opportunity like this," Dolan said. "Sometimes, you don't realize how hard it is to play at the next level. When you are in your local area, you think that you are good enough. But when you get there, it really opens up your eyes because you are playing with and against kids that are going to be drafted. You are just a face in a big sea of talented players."
During the winter, he plans on lifting and hitting in the cages in preparation for the 2010 Central Mountain baseball season.
"I wanted to make my decision early," he said. "I was hoping that I would get an opportunity to play at a major school, and I got that. I'm excited about my future. Now, I can just focus on playing out my high school days, and hopefully, bringing a state championship to Central Mountain."
This will be Dolan's fourth year starting for head coach Mike Kramer and the Wildcats. Last season, he batted .532 with 30 runs, 33 hits and 27 RBI. He had 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs, eight stolen bases and a slugging percentage of .968.
Tom Fox is sports editor at The Lock Haven (Pa.) Express and covers Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania for MaxPreps.