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The Upper Iowa University men’s basketball team held their 6th Annual Meet the Team Night on October 21. The event was held in the ballroom of Upper Iowa’s Student Center where attendees enjoyed a social hour and a buffet prior to hearing from keynote speaker Dr. Tom Davis, former University of Iowa Head Coach, and Head Coach Brian Dolan. The team’s guests included alumni, family and friends and numbered 130 on the night.
Davis’ inspirational and matter-of-fact coaching style was on full display as he went case-by-case through his 36 years of coaching. The former Hawkeye headman cited three players who exemplified the underlying factors that make a good basketball player.
Davis first addressed the crowd about a young man named Kermit Washington. The coach first saw Washington in a pick-up game and was baffled with his work ethic.
“Kermit was the first one down the court, and he was the first one back on defense,” he said. “He wasn’t the best shooter or the best jumper, but we knew, with a little training, we could mold him into a great player.”
Davis recruited Washington to American University and the Washington, D.C. native became one of only seven players in NCAA history to average 20 rebounds and 20 points over the course of his career. But Washington’s one key attribute that really stuck out to Davis, wasn’t his talent, it was his willingness to do whatever was asked of him.
“He did everything the coaching staff asked for on and off the court,” Davis said. “If we asked him to get something done in the classroom, he would. If we asked him to do something in a game, he would. If we asked him to do something for a teammate, he would.”
Washington’s work ethic helped him earn the number five overall pick in the 1973 NBA draft and he went on to have an illustrious career with several teams, including the Lakers – the team that picked him.
Attitude was Davis’ next topic of discussion as he detailed the career of Ryan Bowen, his former player from the University of Iowa.
“When he was a freshman, Ryan would have to be taken out of the game every 45 seconds. He worked that hard,” Davis explained.
As his endurance increased so too did Bowen’s playing time. He was a star in the making, but Davis stressed that his attitude was his most important attribute.
“He always had a positive attitude,” Davis said. “He never complained about calls and shrugged off the bad ones. When any of his teammates had a bad game, it was Bowen who grabbed him. Every NBA team wanted this guy, and he’s now an assistant with the Denver Nuggets.”
Bowen finished in the top ten at Iowa in career blocks, rebounds and still holds the record in steals.
Davis’ third and final role model on the night was Klayton Korver from Drake University.
“You all know his brother, Kyle Korver,” Davis started. “Not a great athlete, not really strong, but he was a team player. Well, Klayton was a worse athlete, was weaker, and couldn’t shoot it as well. What set him apart, though, was his personality. He exuded confidence. There was a study given to Drake students asking why they came to the University and 100 people said Klayton Korver was the reason why and some of them had only met him once.
Davis tied the three examples together, “So my advice to the players here tonight is it’s about much more than winning. It’s not about how well you shoot or rebound. It’s about team chemistry. You’re going to go through good times and bad, but it’s how you respond. After a loss, who’s going to be the guy to get your mind on the next game instead of the last one?”
Davis concluded his speech with one final piece of advice, saying, “You’re only one or two injuries away from being a really good team or a really bad team. When things don’t go your way, rather than be critical, suck it up and move on. Good things will happen to you.”
Following Davis’ remarks, Head Coach Brian Dolan came to the microphone to deliver his thoughts on the year ahead.
“To the seniors, you have one big year left,” he began. “You’ve never been a college senior before, enjoy it and work hard. You can’t control everything, but your attitude, your effort and being a great teammate are all controllable things. It’s been an honor to be your coach and I look forward to this season.”
The night ended with players introducing their teammates to the crowd and some team photos with Davis.
The 2012 Peacock season begins on Nov. 11 when William Jewel College comes to Dorman Gym for a 1 p.m. tip. Prior to the season opener, Upper Iowa will play two exhibition games against NCAA Division I opponents. UIU will face the Braves of Bradley University on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in Peoria, Ill. and the Salukis of Southern Illinois University on Nov. 3 in Carbondale, Ill.
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