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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
Ahead of his appearance on "Survivor," Scot Pollard talks basketball, KU and Pizza Shuttle
**Robert Voets/CBS ENTERTAINMENT**
Jennifer Lanzetti, Alecia Holden, Scot Pollard, Cydney Gillon, Kyle Jason and Darnell Hamilton during the new season of "Survivor."
OMAR SANCHEZ @OhMySanchez
Known for his wild hairstyles and unlimited motor on the court, ex-NBA star and 1993-1997 Kansas basketball player Scot Pollard took some time to talk about his recent ventures and what he remembers about being at the University.
University Daily Kansas: What have your recent weeks been like? I know it's probably a little busy. Another baby on the way, some press for "Survivor." How has it all been?
Scot Pollard: Busy — you know my wife [Dawn Pollard] and I put together a calendar on the computer that we call "Pollard Crazy Life." It just seems that no matter how many times we try to slow down and not travel so much, things keep popping up—new opportunities, and so we take advantage of things.
UDK: Do you have any new plans on the way?
SP: Well, just with the premiere of "Survivor" this week — [Feb. 17] — I've been doing a lot of interviews. I was on SportsCenter, a couple CBS stations to help promote the show. Later in the spring, I've got a couple things out west in California, and then the ["Survivor"] finale is coming up. We're hoping it's towards the middle of May because the baby is coming early May.
UDK: Congrats. If I'm not mistaken, Season 32 of "Survivor" was set in Cambodia. Were you able to look at its surroundings?
SP: No, you don't get to see a lot of the outside world, so to speak. You're kind of just contained to the island.
UDK: Cambodia, from what you saw — is it one of the most Instagram-worthy places you've been to? I know speaking for myself, if I had a phone there, I'd probably want to take plenty of pictures.
SP: Well, I've had the good fortune of traveling the whole world. I've been to almost every place I could want to go to so far, with the exception of Australia. Also, a real trip to Germany some time. I've been to some fabulous beaches, and the one I got to live on for a while was a spectacular place. It was minus humans, minus hotel chains and the spoils that come from commercialization so that was very nice for it to be untouched. Obviously, with that, there are also no toilets either. I would love to go back to Cambodia to get a chance to explore the culture a bit more because, like I said, you're just kind of on the island and just doing the game.
UDK: A little more on "Survivor," but connecting to your time in the NBA, how does the preparation or practice that you had to do with the show compare with what you did in the NBA on a regular basis?
What was the rigor like?
SP: There is no practice — no preparation. It's live, really. I think the people that do well on "Survivor" have been outdoors and [are able to] make things out of nothing — deal with adversity. It was basically my life.
In the NBA, yes, I punished my body. I did things to my body to maintain professional athlete status. You're training extensively. When I was younger, I was a Boy Scout and I knew a little bit about making fires and surviving that kind of way. There really is no preparation for going and being dumped on an island. It's like, "Go, get along with these strangers."
UDK: A whole different animal.
**SP:** Life experience is the one thing that prepares you for something like that. As far as the NBA goes, [it's] being on different teams — different tribes if you will — and getting along with people I wouldn't normally interact with.
I think that was also a big part of my preparation for the island because you're dumped on an island with a team of people you didn't know before and probably wouldn't interact with in a different environment. You have to get along with them.
**UDK:** You actually had a fan Facebook question segment for the Kings a while ago where you said ARCO arena
was the best place you've ever played in the NBA. However, what makes Allen Fieldhouse the best place to play in college basketball?
SP: The best arena I've ever played in is Allen Fieldhouse, no question. In college, I never played in front of that many people before. The fan support in that area is phenomenal and there's nothing like playing in a building that Wilt Chamberlain breathed in and played in. Nothing like the tradition. ... If someone would ever tear down Allen Fieldhouse to make a new arena, they would be making a giant mistake.
SP: I actually didn't really drink alcohol in college until I was 21. It's true. I know people can find it surprising. I didn't really go out especially because Roy Williams was my coach and he said if we get caught at the bars or drinking, we're going to get kicked off the team or suspended most of the year. That was a pretty good incentive to not be out at the bars.
UDK: Back when you were playing in Allen Fieldhouse, you were not only playing but also going to scholb here. What are some of the best places that you remember going to during your time in Lawrence?
But, I did go to the Yacht Club often; that was my place to go in college. Also, a place where the Oread Hotel is right now called The Crossing. Didn't
I think the people that do well on 'Survivor' have been outdoors and [are able to] make things out of nothing - deal with adversity. "
SP: I remember the [Pizza] Shuttle. When I go back in town sometimes I sneak in a Shuttle order. My wife doesn't understand what that's about, but I tell her, you just have to roll with the Shuttle.
UDK: Before your time at the University ended, you actually ended up getting your degree in education. Did you ever plan on making use of it? What was the idea behind that decision?
SCOT POLLARD Former NBA player
go there much, been there a couple times, but I remember it being a wonderful place. In college, again I wasn't much of a drinker, mostly because I was afraid of Coach Williams. I was definitely more of a restaurant guy.
SP: My fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Harward, was my inspiration. He was 6-foot-8, so, like my whole family, he was huge. So I tend to identify myself with tall people. He was my grade teacher and my inspiration to become a teacher.
UDK: What were your favorite restaurants then?
So, when the time came to choose my major, I said, 'You know what, being a teacher is something I can do for the rest of my life and be very happy.' That was the goal. My senior year [at the University] was when the NBA really started to become a reality, I mean everyone was talking about it — all my friends. But, you never really think about that until it becomes a reality and
you see pro scouts are coming to games, not for Jacque Vaughn, Raef LaFrentz or Paul Pierce, but my agent calls to say, 'They were there for you.' I graduated, got drafted, and I was just short of getting my Master's.
UDK: You end up getting an NBA championship with the Celtics and also, that year, is when the Jayhawks won the national title. That must have been a great year for you.
SP: Yes, and if I was in the still in the NBA I wouldn't tell you this story, but I can tell you now. I was out for the season with the Celtics because of my ankle and I had ankle surgery so I wasn't supposed to travel and the Celtics wouldn't even let me travel with them on the road.
Well, when the Jayhawks made it to the Final Four, I told the trainer my college is in the floor, and I'd like to go see them. He just said, 'I didn't hear that.' So, I left and got to see the Final Four game against North Carolina and my old coach Roy Williams. Then I got to see the championship game against Memphis and we got to celebrate afterwards.[I] had a great time down in San Antonio. But I came back to Boston and didn't get in trouble. They were on a road trip so they didn't care too much that I missed a couple rehab appointments.
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