'Dolph' Staying with Familiar Routine

Oct. 27, 2011

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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Gary Dolphin, the radio voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes, knew this summer that 2011-12 would not be a normal year in the broadcast booth. Yet, Dolphin is performing his duties with that thought in mind, trying to make his new routine as normal as possible.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in May and later going public with the information prior to the start of Iowa football season, Dolphin knew there would be some changes forthcoming in his life, changes that he is meeting head on.

Along with the rigors of the football and men’s basketball game schedules, and the travel required, Dolphin is also host of the radio call-in shows for head football coach Kirk Ferentz and head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery. Dolphin also represents the UI athletics department at countless benefits, fundraisers and I-Club events throughout the year. He also has his duties at U.S. Bank in Dubuque.

Still, Dolphin has added his radiation treatment schedule to his routine and feels good about the way the fall has progressed.

“It was important that I continue to do the things I love doing,” said Dolphin. “Which is broadcasting Iowa games and helping people at the bank with their financial management. Keeping my schedule as normal as possible has kept me mentally fit, mentally strong and mentally positive.”

Dolphin is attacking his cancer with a combination of radiation and hormone treatments at the Wendt Cancer Center at Dubuque’s Finley Hospital. Long-time friend, Dr. Tom Lally, is the cancer center director and works with Dolphin in his battle against cancer.

“It’s a little ironic that I was involved in some fund raising for the Wendt Cancer Center, and I served on the board for the American Cancer Society, Iowa Division, with Dr. Lally,” said Dolphin. “And now, when this came up, he is the guy treating me.”

Dolphin’s treatment calls for 42 radiation treatments, which are 15 to 20 minutes each and take place five days a week, alternating with the hormone treatments.

“It is a six to seven week process that we are about one-third of the way through,” said Dolphin. “We are working to weaken and shrink the tumor, alternating the two treatments. Our hope is by the first part of January to have this thing in the rear view mirror.”

Between now and then, with the start of Iowa’s men’s basketball season just around the corner, Dolphin is focused on the day-to-day.

“I’m keeping as normal a schedule as possible,” said Dolphin. “Sometimes I get treated in the morning, sometimes it’s in the afternoon. The staff at the cancer center has been very willing to work with my schedule to get five treatments in per week.

“I’ve found there are a lot of good people in the same boat as I am. We’re in the same waiting room, waiting for treatment. There are a lot of people with hurt and pain going on; visiting with them is a good support group.”

Dolphin says the side effect he is feeling is some fatigue, but he has adapted his schedule.

“I’m starting to feel the fatigue a little,” said Dolphin. “And certainly, part of that is my schedule and the traveling on a regular basis. I feel a little fatigue in the late afternoon, early evening, but I try to get my rest. When not traveling, I plan to be home and relaxing by early evening. I average nine hours of sleep per night. So far, so good, on that front.”

Dolphin knows the demands on his time will only increase as November rolls in and the basketball season gets underway. “I’m curious to see how it goes in basketball,” said Dolphin. “With a lot more events, that will be the real challenge going forward.”

As Hawkeye fans throughout the country have learned over the last 14 years, Dolphin is always ready for the next game broadcast, the next call-in show, the next I-Club banquet, the next morning in the office, the next challenge. In his mind, the challenge is not so great.

“I get a lot of inspiration from others,” said Dolphin. “Ed Podolak, Bill Krause, the late Russ Gerdin, to name a few. These guys have battled much, much more serious health issues than I have. Knowing what Eddie has been through since his devastating accident, the great fight fought by Russ, and others. There are a lot of people out there with much more hurt than I have.”