Gary Dolphin
Encyclopedia
Gary Dolphin is an American sports broadcaster. He is currently the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the University of Iowa
Hawkeyes football
and men's basketball
teams for Learfield Sports and the Iowa Hawkeye Sports Network. Learfield Sports represents over 50 colleges across 31 states. He has served in that role since the December 1996.
in Dubuque, Iowa
and then enrolled at Brown Institute of Broadcasting
in Minneapolis. Prior to getting the job from Learfield Sports as "The Voice of The Hawkeyes," Dolphin had various stops in both radio and television before landing a job calling Northwestern University
men's basketball in 1990. In 1996, Dolphin was one of 63 applicants that applied for the University of Iowa job. After a successful interview, he was hired on December 13, 1996. For football broadcasts, he works alongside Ed Podolak
. His broadcast partner for basketball is Bobby Hansen.
In 1999, Dolphin was a contender for the radio play-by-play job on Chicago Bears
football broadcasts. The field was narrowed to Dolphin and Gary Bender
and the Bears chose Bender. Just two years later, the Bears pursued Dolphin when Bender resigned citing exhaustion from the extensive travel required. Dolphin rejected the Bears' offer because it would have forced him to move to Chicago and cut his ties to the Hawkeyes' broadcasts.
In addition to calling games, Dolphin is the host of the weekly radio program Hawk Talk, where fans can call in to talk to Dolphin and Iowa coaches Kirk Ferentz
and Fran McCaffery
. He also hosts weekly television coaches shows, where Ferentz and McCaffery recap the latest games.
Dolphin was named "Iowa Sportscaster of the Year" by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association
in 2000 and 2010.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
Hawkeyes football
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
and men's basketball
Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team represents the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, as a member of the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. They currently play in 15,500-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena, along with the school's women's basketball, wrestling, and...
teams for Learfield Sports and the Iowa Hawkeye Sports Network. Learfield Sports represents over 50 colleges across 31 states. He has served in that role since the December 1996.
Career
Dolphin attended Loras CollegeLoras College
Loras College is a four-year Catholic college located in Dubuque, Iowa, with a general attendance of approximately 1,700 students. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs...
in Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
and then enrolled at Brown Institute of Broadcasting
Brown College (Minnesota)
Brown College is a for-profit school and is a subsidiary of Career Education Corporation. It is located in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, near Minneapolis/St. Paul...
in Minneapolis. Prior to getting the job from Learfield Sports as "The Voice of The Hawkeyes," Dolphin had various stops in both radio and television before landing a job calling Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
men's basketball in 1990. In 1996, Dolphin was one of 63 applicants that applied for the University of Iowa job. After a successful interview, he was hired on December 13, 1996. For football broadcasts, he works alongside Ed Podolak
Ed Podolak
Edward Joseph Podolak is a former professional American football player. He played quarterback and halfback at the University of Iowa before being selected by the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1969 Common Draft.During a nine-year career from 1969 to 1977,...
. His broadcast partner for basketball is Bobby Hansen.
In 1999, Dolphin was a contender for the radio play-by-play job on Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
football broadcasts. The field was narrowed to Dolphin and Gary Bender
Gary Bender
Gary Bender is a retired American sportscaster and 2008 inductee in to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. He officially retired, April 13, 2011, from Fox Sports Arizona network after 18 years calling the NBA Phoenix Suns games.-Early career:...
and the Bears chose Bender. Just two years later, the Bears pursued Dolphin when Bender resigned citing exhaustion from the extensive travel required. Dolphin rejected the Bears' offer because it would have forced him to move to Chicago and cut his ties to the Hawkeyes' broadcasts.
In addition to calling games, Dolphin is the host of the weekly radio program Hawk Talk, where fans can call in to talk to Dolphin and Iowa coaches Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz
Kirk James Ferentz is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since 1999. From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine. He has also served as an assistant coach...
and Fran McCaffery
Fran McCaffery
Fran McCaffery is an American college basketball coach and the current men's head basketball coach at the University of Iowa. He is the former head of the Siena men's basketball program. He previously served as head coach of Lehigh University and UNC Greensboro...
. He also hosts weekly television coaches shows, where Ferentz and McCaffery recap the latest games.
Dolphin was named "Iowa Sportscaster of the Year" by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association
National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association
The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, or NSSA, is an organization of sports media members in the United States. It constitutes the American chapter of the International Sports Press Association ....
in 2000 and 2010.