Kansas Basketball: Outside the Box with Scot Pollard

Outside the Box with Scot Pollard

In closing the interview, I wanted to give people a glimpse of the man outside of the limelight that the NBA and shows like Survivor seem to portray. No matter one’s profession, we all have a life the camera doesn’t seem to care about. Which is usually the reality of our lives.

CT: If you hadn’t played basketball, what do you think you would be doing?

Scot: I graduated KU with a degree in education. I was gonna teach high school history/government. Detroit Pistons ruined that by drafting me 19th.

         My wife Dawn and I currently host annual golf (summer) and bowling (winter) events to raise money for the Multicultural Scholarship Fund at the School of Education at KU. So we are helping others live out that fantasy. 

CT: Have you ever thought about opening your own barbershop chain?

Scot: I have never thought of opening my own barbershop chain. I was approached once about being involved in a chain, but it wasn’t my idea. 

I’m either bald or don’t cut my hair much so I don’t see the value of being a barbershop owner. Other than being able to say this ” Scot Pollard, owner, CEO of Samurai Scots Barbershop, where your hair will be so sharp it’ll cut melons”.

CT: Do you still talk to your old Kansas teammates?

Scot: I still connect with some of my Kansas teammates and even guys I didn’t play with at KU. It’s a family. Everyone has lives and jobs and families and stuff, but when we do get together it’s like old times and I cherish those times. 

Again, Pollard was a vital piece of one of the most memorable Kansas teams in history. No Jayhawks fan will ever forget those teams he was a part of. His senior season Roy William’s Jayhawks were one of the most dominant teams in Kansas history.

CT: What’s the hardest part of being a father for you?

Scot: The hardest part about being a father for me is never sleeping. I’m used to it, been a dad for 19 years, but sometimes it would be nice to sleep in. At least I hear that is a nice thing. 

As a father of seven myself, any answer Scot had given me I was positive I could relate to. Sleep is a definite issue in the Taylor house. Among other things, lots and lots of other things.

CT: Alright, final question for you. What advice would you tell your younger self?

Scot: The advice I would really give my younger self I cannot broadcast publicly. Too personal. So I will say this to my younger self: You’re gonna be ok. Just keep working hard and it will all work out. And I think all young people can take that advice. 

Pollard’s role in The Profit reveals some of the same things he experienced during his basketball career. Although controversial at times, he has had a positive affect on many of those he has come across. Always entertaining and amusing, he keeps you on your toes.

Next: Best seasons ever for Kansas Basketball

Stay tuned for the next issue of Outside the Box, where more irrelevant questions with relevance will be asked from figures of the major teams you follow. Special thanks to Scot for his participation. You can follow him on Twitter @ScotPollard31