There is nothing like the college experience. Even if you are fortunate enough to go on and play basketball in the NBA. So says Michael Doleac, who has been kicking around the NBA now for nine years and has one year left on his contract with the Miami Heat.
Starring for the University of Utah back in the 1990s, Doleac recalls that time as the best team he has ever been on.
"Your teammates make it exciting," he says. "That Utah team was the best team." Of course he was referring to the camaraderie with the other players in the locker room and the relationships forged during those glory days. And to close out his senior year, he was a main cog in the team that made a big splash at the Final Four, eventually losing to its nemesis, Kentucky.
And the best relationship to come out of that time was with his wife, Shannon, whom he met while he was a senior and she was a freshman just arriving on campus from New Hampshire as a gymnastics recruit.
"The athletes all hang out together. But it was during a summer class in organic chemistry," Shannon said, that their relationship really began to blossom. But Doleac went on to play in the NBA and she competed for five years on the gymnastics team, including one redshirt year.
She went on to claim a master's degree in nutrition at Tufts University in Boston, and he was playing in New York when they began dating again. "It was only a short drive to Boston," he said.
Now married for two years, the couple make their permanent residence in Utah and they have an apartment in Miami during the basketball season. "The first year was a big adjustment," said Shannon. "It was helpful that all the other wives were thrown together in a new city."
The Doleacs often go out with other team members and their wives," Mike said. "Jason Kapono is a good friend. We do things with them (his wife also) in Miami, and I also hang out with him when we are on the road."
She also enjoys cooking and with her nutrition background has become very good at it. Mike says, "She makes everything fresh. She makes a variety of fresh salsas. And one of my favorite dishes is fish tacos."
To stay busy while Mike is away, Shannon has formed her own nutrition consulting business. "I am working on a nutrition-recipe book," she said.
She explained that this type of business is flexible and can be portable to other cities in case Mike ends up playing for another team. And Mike isn't ready to retire anytime soon. He will play this gig as long as his big body holds out. And when it doesn't, he may go back to studying organic chemistry and other pre-med classes. Originally a pre-med major at Utah, he still entertains the idea of going into medicine.
"That is still on my mind," he said.
Meanwhile, playing behind Shaquille O'Neal, who is rapidly aging, makes Doleac a valuable commodity to have around in case of injury.
"Shaq is the toughest player I have ever played against," said Doleac. And he is not just talking about practice. He has gone up against Shaq many times while playing on other teams. He was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic at No. 12 in the first round. He has since spent periods of time with Cleveland, New York and Denver before sticking with Miami the past three years.
Dwyane Wade is another Miami All Star that Doleac has had the opportunity to get to know.
"Besides being a phenomenal talent, he is a great person and a humble guy," said Doleac.
Is Wade the leader of this team?
Doleac explains that leadership is a problem for the Miami team. "It is hard for one guy to step up," he said. "All of these players have been leaders either in college or on other teams."
But coach Pat Riley provides great leadership. "We couldn't have won our championship without him," said Doleac. "He gets all the big egos to fit well and play well together."
And speaking of big egos, Doleac was asked to sum up his thoughts on Rick Majerus. He said he has great knowledge of the game, work ethic, etc. And he concluded: "He is by far the best coach I have ever played for."
Michael Doleac:
1994-98 University of Utah basketball
Utah's 12th leading scorer with 1,519 points
Went to NCAA tournament all 4 years (Lost to Kentucky in Sweet 16 game 1996, Elite 8 game 1997 and national title game in 1998)
Named All-American 1998
All-WAC Academic honors, 1997, 1998
NBA
Drafted with 12th pick overall by Orlando Magic
Named NBA All-Rookie second team, 1999
Won NBA championship with Miami Heat, 2006
Shannon Bowles:
1997-2002 University of Utah gymnastics
Athletic Honors
Nine-time All-American
2002 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist
Only four-time first-team balance beam All-American in Utah gymnastics history
2002 NCAA North Central Gymnast of the Year
2002 Mountain West Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Won the bronze on the floor exercise at the 2002 NCAA Championships (9.925)
Led Utah into the NCAA Super Six three of her four years.
U.S. National Team member prior to coming to Utah.
Academic Honors
2002 First-Team Academic All-American
*Graduated cum laude with a 3.83 GPA in psychology and exercise and sport science
Received an NCAA post-graduate scholarship
E-mail: wjewkes@desnews.com