vIVERSON continued from page 17 glad we played in the ‘New Armory’ (before the DakotaDome was built). Every game was packed.” The Jacks returned the favor in Brookings, Iverson recalled. “We used to play at the ‘Barn’ at SDSU,” he said. “We would get there for the game at 4:30 p.m. and had to run the gauntlet with snowballs thrown at us.” Both USD and SDSU now compete in NCAA Division I, and the atmosphere has changed because of the facilities and decorum, Iverson said. “The venues are so different now. They’re so much more spacious,” he said. “The crowd is further out and not on top of you. Fans aren’t able to reach out and touch you.” Iverson left the Vermillion campus with great memories, including a trip to the Division II national tournament during his junior year. He thought his basketball playing days were done, but they weren’t. Going Pro Iverson had no expectations of a pro basketball career. He had begun laying the groundwork for life after college ball. Then he received an unexpected phone call after his USD graduation. “I was working on the farm, and my brother, Dwight, who was a freshman at USD, came rushing up to me,” he said. “Dwight said, ‘Chuck! You’ve been picked in the draft!’” A stunned Iverson thought his brother was referring to the military draft for the Vietnam War. “Dwight said, ‘No, the NBA (National Basketball Association) draft!’” Chuck said. “This was before cell phones, and I was supposed to get into town to take a phone call from them.” Iverson received an offer from the Seattle SuperSonics. However, he had already signed a teaching contract with a Wyoming school. “The school graciously allowed me to go with the SuperSonics and return to the teaching position if things didn’t work out,” he said. Iverson also received an offer from the Memphis Tams of the rival and now-defunct American Basketball Association (ABA). The Tams offered guaranteed money if he signed. However, the ABA’s future remained uncertain, Iverson said. And if he took the ABA contract, he wasn’t allowed to try out for the NBA at a later date. Iverson chose the SuperSonics, which offered an eye-opening experience for a farm kid. “(NBA legend) Bill Russell coached the team. Mostly he sat on the sidelines with the reporters and did some light coaching,” Iverson said. However, the rookie soon came face-to-face with the head coach. “The first three days were hell. We didn’t play any basketball. We just ran a lot,” Iverson said. “I sat down, and Bill Russell said to me, ‘Tired, big fella?’ I knew I couldn’t admit it, so I got back up and started running again.” Iverson managed to get some playing time, allowing his cousin and her husband to see him in action. But in the end, his stint with the SuperSonics ended and he packed his bags. After teaching in Wyoming, Iverson returned to his home area. He resumed his basketball playing with independent teams. Then came the invitation from Rapid City trucker Ralph Macy, who organized the 1976 trip to Europe, including Russia. For Iverson, the roster included familiar faces: Rich Nissen and Joe Mueting of USD, Jeff Wilber of Augustana and John and Dave Thomas and Lee Colburn of SDSU. “In Europe, the competition was really good,” Iverson said. “It was the equivalent of D-I and NBA quality.” Coaching The Sidelines Upon returning home, Iverson found basketball connections of a different type. He started assisting Coach Jim Thorson with the Yankton College men’s basketball team. “I finished harvest (on the farm) and went over to help Jim. I mostly worked with the JV squad,” Iverson said. After Yankton College closed in 1984, Iverson’s coaching days weren’t finished. He would find his way across town, joining the Mount Marty College athletic staff in 1991 as faculty, women’s basketball coach and athletic director. Chuck and his wife, Karla, have seen their children enjoy college basketball success. At MMC, Chuck’s teams enjoyed perennial success and advanced to the NAIA national women’s basketball tournament. He coached the Lancers when his daughter, Cassie, played on a team that qualified for vIVERSON continued on page 19 If your family suddenly needs surgical care, where will you turn? You want someone to ease your fears, lessen the stress, and take the time to comfort you and your family. No referral necessary. Independently owned. Call Yankton Surgical Associates, PC today for a consultation. 605-668-9670 18vHISVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 2525 Fox Run Parkway, Suite 204, Yankton www.yanktonsurgical.com Kynan C.Trail, MD, FACS