In late 2003, Gopher volleyball coach Mike Hebert developed a stiff neck and a slight shuffle in his gait. He was relatively unconcerned. Still, the symptoms prompted Hebert to schedule an appointment with his doctor. Although the diagnosis—Parkinson’s disease—caught him off-guard, Hebert quickly realized he could continue coaching unhindered.

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease for which there is no cure. Three years later, however, Hebert’s symptoms are manageable and the four-time NCAA Final Four veteran is preparing to start his 12^th season as the Gopher volleyball coach in August.

The volleyball Gophers reached the Final Four for the first time in 2003 and advanced to the national championship game in 2004. The team ended the 2006 season in the Elite Eight, and Hebert expects the Gophers to open the 2007 season ranked in the top 10 and contend for another Final Four berth.

In summer 2006, Hebert shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis with the public in a University press release. Although he prefers talking volleyball, Hebert recently shared his thoughts on the disease and coaching.

Q: How did you make the decision to share the news that you had Parkinson’s?
A: I didn’t tell anyone for a couple of years. It just wasn’t anything I wanted to interfere with work or the program. Had I not been a public figure I wouldn’t have done it—it’s not really anyone’s business. But too many people would see me on TV and wonder, What’s up with Mike? I didn’t want people speculating, has he had a stroke? Is he going to keel over? No, it’s a long-term neurological condition that a lot of people have. It’s not unlike a lot of illnesses people carry for years and years and function normally.

Q: What was the team’s reaction?
A: They probably had noticed a few little things, but they don’t really ask about much. I was prepared for a long meeting to explain the whole thing and they were like, whatever. And we went out to practice.

Q: Were you surprised at the amount of attention the press release generated?
A: I can’t say surprised, because I didn’t know what would happen. My intuition was that it was the right way to go and I lowered my head and pushed forward. I got a number of phone calls, e-mails, and letters. Nothing negative, although it’s been used in recruiting against me a couple of times by other coaches.

Q: Did you worry about that?
A: We’d just been to two Final Fours, and last year we finished in the Elite Eight. So if someone wants to badmouth me they’re going to have to deal with the record. Apparently the disease didn’t provide that big of a pothole.

Q: Does the disease have any effect on your coaching?
A: I don’t hit the ball in practice a lot any more, but that’s more the result of a really bad shoulder because of years of heavy use and a sore back because of years of being an athlete.

Q: So, it doesn’t really affect your daily life?
A: No. I have to do things differently from time to time. I’m not as fast walking down the street—that’s probably the most noticeable change in things. I’m not as mobile as I used to be.

Q: Do you feel as though it’s become your responsibility to raise awareness about the disease?
A: At this point, I don’t really have the time. Knowing me, I would guess at some point I’ll be more outspoken about it. I usually hook on to causes, and this would be one I’d be close to.

Q: Do you think restrictions should be lifted on embryonic stem cell research to pursue a cure for Parkinson’s?
A: Absolutely. Not just for Parkinson’s, but for any chronic illness. People who stand in the way of that research to me are misinformed.

Q: Did you think it was fair when a reporter asked Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson if he had Parkinson’s disease?
A: Actually, I don’t think it was fair. For a coach to come to a press conference thinking he’s going to talk about the game and then to be asked intimate personal question—I don’t know what his reaction was, but I would’ve been upset.

Q: Your current contract is through 2010. Do you expect the disease to have any effect on your career?
A: I’m 63, so my career is certainly in the autumn years. I really like what I do and want to keep doing it as long as I can. I’m not one of those who is seeking to escape the work world to retire to a golf course in Arizona. The outlook for me appears to be positive in terms of being able to continue coaching as long as I want to be here.

Sheila Mulrooney Eldred is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Minnesota.