to proceed into the Soviet Union. The Americans headed to Leningrad — later renamed Stalingrad — for their games. “We were in the Yuri A. Gagarin tournament, which was named for the cosmonaut that was killed (in a later plane crash),” he said. “It was gray outside, late October or November, and the weather was cloudy. But it wasn’t just the weather. Everything seemed really dreary.” Even when they finished the tournament and left the country, the American players remained under the watchful eye of the Soviet authorities. “We had a lot easier time getting out of Russia than going in,” Iverson said. “But for us to get out of the country, the host (nation) had to guarantee the visiting team got back out safely to its home country. That was mainly to see that no defectors stayed behind in the host country.” The American players were not allowed to leave the Aeroflot (Russian airline) flight during a refueling stop in Ireland, Iverson said. “We had to remain on the plane until we got to New York City,” he said. “We heard horror stories about Aeroflot and didn’t’ feel comfortable until we got to New York.” A couple of passengers managed to disembark the plane in Ireland — for good. “We had two people get off the plane and take a different plane home,” Iverson said. College Ball The Russian adventure stands as just one of Iverson’ lifetime ties to basketball. He has served at Mount Marty College since 1991 in the roles of faculty member, women’s basketball coach and athletic director (AD). He announced his retirement in 2018 and currently serves as assistant AD during the transition year. Iverson’s basketball journey began with a crucial decision made before he left grade school. He grew up on a Clay County farm and attended the nearby Meckling elementary school. When he was in eighth grade, Meckling closed its high school. Students were given the option of attending the neighboring schools of Wakonda, Gayville or Vermillion. Iverson chose Vermillion, one of the largest schools in the state. He tried out for the Tanager basketball team, even though he didn’t consider himself extraordinarily tall or talented. But that all changed in a hurry and didn’t stop. Make Yourself At Home. “I wasn’t that tall when I started (basketball), but I got my growth spurt in high school,” he said. “I was 5-foot-11 in eighth grade, 6-foot4 when I started my freshman year, and 6-foot-7 by the end of my freshman year.” Iverson grew even taller, eventually reaching 6-foot-9. He avoided injuries, including any knee pain from his rapid growth. “I didn’t really have any problems. I think it was because of my genes,” he joked. Iverson’s farm chores contributed to his strength and athleticism. “We would pile 3,000 bales a day, and each bale weighed 80 pounds. I was like any farm kid growing up in the 1960s,” he said. “Along with it, I got fresh air, powerlifting and conditioning.” Today, many athletes engage in formal training programs to get the same benefits, he noted. When it came time to attend college, Iverson remained in Vermillion and attended the University of South Dakota. He tried out and made the Coyote basketball team. “I didn’t get a lot of recruitment or scholarship offers,” he said. “I attended USD, which was a good fit. I was just a farm kid, and I wasn’t complacent at all when it came to making the basketball team.” Iverson noted he had the best of both worlds. “I lived in the dorm and was far enough away from the farm, but I could still go back to my family for a home-cooked meal,” he said with a grin. “But it was also great because I was close to home, and my family and friends could watch me play basketball.” Bob Mulcahy served as the Coyote men’s basketball coach the entire four years that Iverson attended USD from fall 1969 to spring 1973. Mel Klein served as an assistant and would later coach Augustana College (now Augustana University) in Sioux Falls. Iverson recalled with fondness the highly-competitive North Central Conference (NCC) in NCAA Division II. The league featured intense rivalries, including the Coyotes and the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits of Brookings. “Back in those days, they were throwing coyotes and rabbits out on the floor. One year, a frozen coyote hit a USD cheerleader,” he said. “Now, things are more politically correct. If somebody threw a coyote or jackrabbit on the floor, the police would arrest the person.” The games became up close and personal, Iverson said. “The NCC had great rivalries. You knew every team well,” he said. “I’m vIVERSON continued on page 18 Save Up To With Manufacturer Rebates & Utility Incentives Call Your After more than a century, we’re still inventing new ways to keep you comfortable, no matter the season. 2250 $ Dealer Today! HEATING & COOLING 2401 Broadway, Yankton 605-665-9461 • www.larrysheatingandcooling.com HISVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017v17