EIGHT YEARS TOGETHER
2-24-05
By: Greg Stephenson

Seniors Michael Doles and Derrick Reid have been playing basketball together for almost eight years.  Both starred at nearby Meadowbrook High, and after Doles transferred to Virginia Commonwealth from Wright State, they were reunited again on the floor of the ALLTEL Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center where they have played the last three seasons side by side just like they did in high school.  However, with the month of March upon us, their college careers are winding down.  Senior night takes place during a post-game ceremony following Saturday’s game against UNC Wilmington and with that Doles and Reid’s last game on their home court at VCU.

To them though it’s just another part of life that has to be lived.  “I try not to think about it.  I’m just trying to enjoy these last couple games,” said Doles.

Added Reid, “It’ll be nothing new.  It’s just another part of life.  You’ve got to move on, keep it moving, and hopefully the best will come out of your life.”

Both Doles and Reid have contributed significantly throughout their tenure as Rams.  Doles played the role of sixth-man during his first two years and has assumed more of a leadership position during his senior season.  He currently averages 15 points per game, second best on the team.  Reid has played in the majority of VCU’s contests during his four years, contributing greatly underneath the boards and in the post.

“They’ve meant a lot,” said head coach Jeff Capel.  “For one, they’ve brought a winning attitude to VCU.  Derrick, coming into this season, was the winningest Division I player in the state of Virginia.  He’s been on some really outstanding teams, and has had a big part on each one.  And Michael Doles has been here for three years now, which has had a huge impact on our program.”

However great their contributions have been on the court, though, they may be even greater off the court.  “Both are from the city of Richmond and that helps because you have two guys that are good players from right here that really represent the university well,” said Capel.  “They just bring an extra fan base in so that people from here in Richmond can come out and support them.  They both come from outstanding families.  And as good as basketball players as they are, they are better young men than they are basketball players.”

Those families, and their close ties to them and their friends are the main reasons the two are where they are right now playing for the Rams.  “The main reason I came here was to play with Derrick, and Mark Adams (another former Ram who was a Meadowbrook grad) and being able to play close to home,” said Doles.  “When I first transferred back home, I remembered how great it used to feel.  And how I used think my life was absolutely perfect being at home on a team with two guys I grew up with basically.  We hung out all the time in high school and now we could hang out in college.”

Added Reid, “For me, it was close to home.  It gave my family an opportunity to come see me play, and also it gives me a chance to retreat home to get away sometimes.”

The college years have traditionally been associated as a bridge that safely leads from the comforting shelter of youth into the realms of adulthood and it seems both Doles and Reid have crossed that bridge successfully. “I think the experiences they’ve had as student-athletes at VCU will pay dividends out in the real world,” said Capel.

Reid’s first year at VCU was also Capel’s first as an assistant at the institution and, according to the coach, it’s been interesting to watch him develop into a young man.

“You know he’s kind of run the full gamut of a college experience,” said Capel.  “He’s had adversity, he’s had success, and he’s had some failure.  But the main thing is that he’s kept working throughout each of them.  And I think all of those experiences will help prepare him for the real world.  I think he’s a better person for it.  He’s more mature now.  I think he has his goals and his priorities right now.  It’s been really neat to watch him grow up.”

Capel also gives Doles the same accorded praise.  “This year it’s been fun to watch Mike grow.  He’s stepped up more as a leader and that’s something we’ve asked of him and he’s done a tremendous job with it.  Mike’s just a really talented young man, and not just as a basketball player.  He’s one of the most interesting guys I’ve ever met as far as his genuine concern for people.  He even wants to be a cop.  Hopefully he gets a chance to play basketball after school, and after that hopefully he can pursue that career.”

For now, though, after Saturday’s game against UNC Wilmington, the two friends will walk off the Siegel Center court together for the last time.  Come May, both will be graduating, both with degrees in criminal justice, and both having shared their college experience together, just as they had liked.