Maple Grove's Brendan Loney Comes Back from Diving Injury, Graduates from College

Brendan Loney played hockey at Maple Grove Senior High School and Gustavus Adolphus College before a dive off a dock left him paralyzed, making continuing college a question mark. 

But with help from friends, family and college faculty, Loney got his degree Sunday, as WCCO-TV reported. 

Here are excerpts from more accounts of Loney's amazing journey: 

Mankato Free Press: 
Brendan Loney enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College in the fall of 2007, pursuing a degree in business. Two years later, he jumped off a dock at a friend's cabin, and briefly lost consciousness. When he came to, Loney was inhaling water through his nose and had to be pulled from the lake by a childhood friend. 

WCCO-TV: 
He recalls his days in the hospital. Blinking was his only communication for a month, “I was unable to swallow, speak.” He said he had to make a choice. “I could’ve laid down, stayed in bed but it really doesn’t get you anywhere,” Loney said.  

Gustavus Adolphus College: 
“Right after the injury I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to come back to Gustavus,” Loney said. “I knew I wanted to finish school, but I wasn’t really sure how it would happen. Before I even started talking about different possibilities, Professor Bruce Johnson, my advisor, said. ‘hold on, let’s see if we can talk to some people to get this to work’ and that’s kind of how it started.”

Courage Center: 
"Don't get me wrong," he laughed, "working out at home was great, and I can see how beneficial it could be for someone not equipped to go out. But I love going to a gym and working out. I didn't see any reason to change my thinking."

CaringBridge: 
It is with great pride and gratitude that I can say Brendan will be going thru graduation ceremonies at Gustavus Adolphus college this coming Sunday. Brendan's never give up attitude has pushed him thru a lot these past four years. We are very proud of his accomplishments in all his endeavors. We owe a big thank you to Gustavus and most importantly Dr. Bruce Johnson. Bruce (Brendan's academic advisor) contacted me shortly after Brendan's accident and immediately put a plan in place for Brendan to continue his education and eventually earn his college degree.