University of Minnesota Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Pam (Miller) Dombeck
7/26/2018 10:10:00 AM | Volleyball
Pam (Miller) Dombeck finished her Gopher career in 1986, although her legacy continues to live. When she completed her career, Dombeck was the program's all-time leader in career blocks and kills and led the conference on both of those categories her junior and senior seasons. An All-Big Ten selection in her final two years, she was also named an all-region honoree and the team's most valuable player twice. Following her playing career, Dombeck also served as an assistant and interim head coach for the Gophers. One of three Milller sisters to play for the Gophers, she played with her sister, Lori, and even coached her sister, Michelle, in 1995. Fast forward to 2018, Dombeck will be inducted into our M Club Hall of Fame on Sept. 13. Here's a chance to catch up with Dombeck prior to her induction.
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
A referee at one of my high school volleyball matches knew the head Gopher volleyball coach (at the time) and gave her my name. The head coach contacted me, I went for a visit, and fell in love with the campus as well as the team. The rest is kind of history!
What have you been up to since you left the U of M?
After leaving Illinois to come play for the Gophers, I ended up graduating and staying in Minnesota. I spent the year after playing serving as a student assistant for the team. My last couple years at Minnesota I spent in the college of education earning my teaching degree and that is where I met my wonderful husband, Ty, who also is a teacher and Minnesota alum. I coached various club volleyball teams for a few years and then my former Gopher coach asked me if I wanted to come be an assistant coach with the Minnesota. I jumped at the chance and then that experience led to a year of being the interim head coach for the Gophers the following year. Since then, the past 22 years I have been teaching Health and Physical Education at Hastings High School in Minnesota. I also have spent the last 15 or so years coaching at Northern Lights Volleyball Club out of Burnsville. I have been married for 27 years this summer and have two beautiful daughters Danielle (who is 26, married two years, and played Division 1 volleyball for North Dakota State University) and Maddy (who is 12 and I currently coach at Northern Lights Juniors). Our family has resided in Farmington, Minnesota for the last 24 years!
You recently found out you'll be inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame. How did you find out and what was your reaction?
I actually was in Orlando at AAU volleyball nationals coaching my daughter when I received the message on my cell phone. I was stunned and the first person I told was my husband! I was like "wow.....ME??" This is a pretty prestigious honor in such elite company.
What were some of your best memories as a Gopher volleyball player?
-The family you become with your teammates and coaches
-Our pre-game locker room jam sessions!
-The fans and playing at Williams Arena - yes I am old and that is where our matches were held!
-The BIG TEN and the competitive atmosphere that it brought every single night we competed!
-The campus and the atmosphere it brings as a student/athlete!
-All the people I have met and who have stuck with me even now over 30 years later!
-The opportunity to play with my sister Lori (1986-89) and coach my sister Michelle (1994-95)
Have you been able to stay in touch with your former teammates?
Over the years through my coaching club volleyball I have ran into some of my former teammates as well as my former players and that has been great! It has made me realize how long I have been around the game.
Any advice you'd like to give to our current Gopher Volleyball team?
-Just know you have been given a gift so cherish every moment and make the best of it!
-Be humble and always respect your coaches, teammates and the game.
-Be proud to be a Gopher!
Minnesota volleyball has basically made me who I am today as it has opened many doors for me in my profession and my personal life. Being on the Gopher volleyball team taught me discipline, appreciation for others, good sportsmanship, character and the ability to balance my studies and athletics. These things I have tried to instill in my own daughters and I hope any student-athlete will also carry these traits and pass them along in their lives as well!
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
A referee at one of my high school volleyball matches knew the head Gopher volleyball coach (at the time) and gave her my name. The head coach contacted me, I went for a visit, and fell in love with the campus as well as the team. The rest is kind of history!
What have you been up to since you left the U of M?
After leaving Illinois to come play for the Gophers, I ended up graduating and staying in Minnesota. I spent the year after playing serving as a student assistant for the team. My last couple years at Minnesota I spent in the college of education earning my teaching degree and that is where I met my wonderful husband, Ty, who also is a teacher and Minnesota alum. I coached various club volleyball teams for a few years and then my former Gopher coach asked me if I wanted to come be an assistant coach with the Minnesota. I jumped at the chance and then that experience led to a year of being the interim head coach for the Gophers the following year. Since then, the past 22 years I have been teaching Health and Physical Education at Hastings High School in Minnesota. I also have spent the last 15 or so years coaching at Northern Lights Volleyball Club out of Burnsville. I have been married for 27 years this summer and have two beautiful daughters Danielle (who is 26, married two years, and played Division 1 volleyball for North Dakota State University) and Maddy (who is 12 and I currently coach at Northern Lights Juniors). Our family has resided in Farmington, Minnesota for the last 24 years!
You recently found out you'll be inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame. How did you find out and what was your reaction?
I actually was in Orlando at AAU volleyball nationals coaching my daughter when I received the message on my cell phone. I was stunned and the first person I told was my husband! I was like "wow.....ME??" This is a pretty prestigious honor in such elite company.
What were some of your best memories as a Gopher volleyball player?
-The family you become with your teammates and coaches
-Our pre-game locker room jam sessions!
-The fans and playing at Williams Arena - yes I am old and that is where our matches were held!
-The BIG TEN and the competitive atmosphere that it brought every single night we competed!
-The campus and the atmosphere it brings as a student/athlete!
-All the people I have met and who have stuck with me even now over 30 years later!
-The opportunity to play with my sister Lori (1986-89) and coach my sister Michelle (1994-95)
Have you been able to stay in touch with your former teammates?
Over the years through my coaching club volleyball I have ran into some of my former teammates as well as my former players and that has been great! It has made me realize how long I have been around the game.
Any advice you'd like to give to our current Gopher Volleyball team?
-Just know you have been given a gift so cherish every moment and make the best of it!
-Be humble and always respect your coaches, teammates and the game.
-Be proud to be a Gopher!
Minnesota volleyball has basically made me who I am today as it has opened many doors for me in my profession and my personal life. Being on the Gopher volleyball team taught me discipline, appreciation for others, good sportsmanship, character and the ability to balance my studies and athletics. These things I have tried to instill in my own daughters and I hope any student-athlete will also carry these traits and pass them along in their lives as well!
Follow Women's Volleyball
Women's Volleyball Tickets
Experience the excitement and tradition connecting generations of Gopher fans! Create memories for a lifetime with your friends and family while you root for your Golden Gophers. Get Tickets
Support Women's Volleyball
Support the University of Minnesota Women's Volleyball program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
Highlights: Gophers 3, Washington 1
Saturday, October 18
Highlights: Gophers 1, Oregon 3
Friday, October 17
Gopher Round Table: Gopher Volleyball
Friday, October 17
Coming Home: Alexis Hart
Wednesday, October 15