PSY Student Athlete Spotlight with Dolan Gilbert

October 21, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

Photo credits: Michael Caples

Hockey player Dolan Gilbert transferred to Michigan State University in 2023 to focus on his goal of being a sports psychologist. One day, he emailed the MSU hockey team to see if they needed a back-up goalie, and they did! Ever since, Dolan has been balancing his academics and being a student athlete at MSU.  Now a senior, Dolan is majoring in psychology with a minor in Leadership of Organizations. He shared recently about how he finds that balance, how psychology has impacted him as an athlete, and more.  

  

Why did you choose psychology as your major?  

I have always been interested in the science behind how we think, particularly tied into athletics. I am looking to pursue sport psychology, so majoring in psych seemed like the best way forward. I love learning more about the science and seeing real-time applications into everyday life, I’m not sure if many other majors provide the same application. 

  

Tell us about your time as an MSU hockey player.  

I would say it has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and a dream come true. I have been fortunate to have a once in a lifetime experience of making lifelong friends and helping represent the school in a special way. 

  

How does psychology impact you as an athlete?  

Psychology has a big impact on me as an athlete. I feel like I am able to apply many of the things I've learned to my play and notice different patterns that I can adjust and improve. Hockey is such a high pressure and unpredictable sport, so psychology has strong ties to successfully managing those variables. The goaltending position is very mental as well, which creates an even bigger opportunity to apply what I have learned. 

  

Any advice for student athletes on how to balance being the two roles?

I would say time management is the biggest thing. Sports add so many more responsibilities to our plates that it is important to set time aside specifically for school. I would also say to treat school the same as your sport, be fully focused on your schoolwork and try to be the best at it, pushing yourself to be better whenever possible. 

  

Any favorite MSU memories? 

The first memory that comes to mind is winning the Big Ten Championship last year in front of our home crowd, it was such a special feeling of excitement and pride and I’m glad we got to share it with everyone at Munn Arena. Last year we were fortunate to play outside at Wrigley Field, which was a once in a lifetime experience. Lastly, my first year here I would sit by Beaumont Tower and listen to the bells play "Thy Shadows" at 5:00pm, those were special moments where I truly felt at home here. 

  

Would you like to give a shoutout to anyone who has helped you in your MSU journey? 

I would like to thank Sarah Handspike for helping me get adjusted to Michigan State with my classes and providing me with motivation in pursuing a spot on the hockey team. I would also like to shout out to my group of friends I made in my Personality class; they helped me become even more interested in psychology and were the first support system I had on campus.