Somehow, for Gary Dolphin, it all adds up without weighing him down. He balances three jobs, a family and community service all into a seven-day week.

How does he do it?

“I don’t work an eight-hour day,” Dolphin said.

Dolphin, the new “Voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes,” manages to change out of his Superman costume and into his Clark Kent attire during his daily stop at Dubuque’s Mercantile Bank. He serves there as the bank’s assistant vice president.

During the work week, Dolphin also has work to do for the Hawkeyes. He spends countless hours travelling, attending press conferences and studying for upcoming games.

When Saturday — game day — finally rolls around, the work pays off, and the fun begins.

So after six long days, at least he has Sunday off, right? Nope. He works as a network television coordinator for Chicago Bears games.

“I just take the time to do it. If you enjoy it, you can do it,” he said.

With time of the greatest essence, who would spend fifteen minutes doing an interview with a college reporter? Dolphin, of course.

In December 1996, Dolphin was selected by Learfield Communications, Inc. and the University of Iowa Athletic Department to become the lead voice of Hawkeye football and basketball.

He returns to the Kinnick stadium press box after a 19-year layoff. He was the play-by-play voice for Iowa basketball and football for Dubuque’s KDTH radio from 1972-1978.

Dolphin said he was not sure exactly what career path he wanted to follow, but knew his love for radio and sports left one promising opportunity. A “radio voice” and “TV hair” didn’t hurt either.

Dolphin is armed with years of broadcasting experience, mostly in the Dubuque area. He also has done live coverage of high school football, basketball and baseball since 1987 for WDBQ radio.

He worked nine years with KDUB-TV as a news and sports anchor and hosted a talk show this summer for the SportsAmerica Radio Network in Dyersville.

Dolphin’s hard work and long hours on the job are exceeded only by his philanthropic work in the Dubuque community. And the people of eastern Iowa appreciate everything he does.

One would be hard pressed to find a Dubuque County resident who does not know “Dolph.”

This summer, Dolphin was honored by over 350 people in a “roast” for the contributions he has made to the area. Guests of honor included Iowa football coach Hayden Fry and former Iowa State basketball coach Johnny Orr.

Born in Cascade, Dolphin has stayed close to Hawkeye athletics throughout his life.

The new job is a “dream come true” for the lifelong Hawkeye fan.

“It’s been great. It really has. It’s been as exciting as I thought it would be,” Dolphin said about his first two games. “It’s gone better than I ever would have dreamed.”

He said Iowa’s early season success has made the job easier for him. “They’ve provided me with so much good material, even I couldn’t screw it up,” he said.

Dolphin is excited about traveling to Ames for this weekend’s intrastate rivalry. “It’s always such a great atmosphere. I think it’s special. Anybody would love to cover the game,” Dolphin said.

He said he has heard good things about the improvements made in Jack Trice Stadium. “I hear it’s beautiful. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Despite Iowa’s dominance over the Cyclones the past 14 years, Dolphin said that could end at any time. “I don’t think you can predict an intrastate rivalry. It’s such a hotly contested rivalry. Streaks are made to be broken.”

Dolphin said people should not give up on the Cyclone football team. He said he has been a longtime friend of ISU Coach Dan McCarney. He said he hopes ISU fans realize that McCarney has the team headed in the right direction. “They have some talent.”

Dolphin said he thinks this season should be one of the best in Hawkeye history.

He said early comparisons of this year’s squad to Iowa’s 1985 No. 1-ranked team in the nation are not unfounded.

To him, the offense has been tremendous, and the defense has been a pleasant surprise. And that could add up to a trip to Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1998.

“I think they have a real good chance at going to the Rose Bowl,” he said.

Will Dolphin have time to make the trip? Probably not, but somehow he’ll find a way.