Family, friends host watch party for UB's Shaun Dolac
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DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) -- As the names of football players on the University at Buffalo’s roster who make it to the NFL have grown in recent years, with players like Joe Andreessen and Ja’Marcus Ingram, one player is hoping he’ll be next.
Saturday was Shaun Dolac’s moment to shine: The linebacker for the UB Bulls (9-4) played in the Bahamas Bowl against the Liberty Flames (8-4) in Nassau, Bahamas, where the Bulls emerged victorious 26-7. During the game, Shaun also set a new record for UB football when he completed his 162nd tackle of the season.
Over 1,000 miles away, Shaun’s friends and family hosted a watch party to cheer him on.
"I am so excited for the future for him to see what he's going to accomplish today and for the years to come," said Colleen Dolac, Shaun’s mother.
Shaun is the youngest in his family and grew up playing sports in West Seneca, where he was a star athlete at West Seneca East High School. He first picked up a football when he was 5 years old.
"We knew when he started playing he was going to be something because he just has the heart for football," Colleen said.
Shaun received the first consensus All-American designation in UB football history last month.
"He was always hard-working. I know they can testify to that,” said Jessica Dolac, Shaun’s sister. ”They used to ride their bikes to practice when they played Little Loop (football), grabbing their shoulder pads, their helmet, riding their bike down to the field in West Seneca."
Another accolade on Shaun’s list came when he was named the Mid-American Conference’s defensive player of the year last month. He was the second Bull to win the award, following Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack in 2013.
"I am so proud of Shaun and everything he has accomplished. He never gave up in accomplishing his dreams,” said Deborah Kocieniewski. “Kept fighting. Even after injuries, he went back to the gym and rebuilt himself to get stronger and become the amazing player that he is today and I couldn't be more proud of him."
With Shaun in his final year at UB, his friends and family are waiting to see if he'll be the next player to make it to the NFL.
"It is true, we do have good players coming from Buffalo, my son being one of them,” Colleen said. “I think UB is an awesome school and it just proves that Buffalo is a place to watch. Football is up and coming."
"No matter what it is, just to keep pushing and believing in yourself. I'm his older brother but sometimes I look at him and I'm like, he's got it, he's got it for sure,” said John Dolac, Shaun’s brother.
Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.