Cyclone Basketball Heaven

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State men's basketball alumni spanning eras from the 1930s to the present, gathered at the Jacobson Building Friday night for the Cyclone men's hoops social. The former ISU stars on the hardwood were in town to celebrate 100 years of men's basketball. All alumni, plus members of the All-Century team, will be honored tomorrow afternoon at the Iowa State-Nebraska game.

For many, it was a chance to catch up with old friends and colleagues who lost touch from one another as they went their separate ways. It was also an opportunity for current Cyclone players and coaches to meet in person the players who blazed a trail of success for the men's basketball program at Iowa State.

“This event was a great chance for our players to meet all of the legendary players who came before them,” ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. “It was great to finally be able to meet all of the guys that have helped make Iowa State such a wonderful place to be apart of.”

One of the oldest alumni to return was Ray Wehde. A native of Holstein, Iowa, Wehde was a first-team all-Big Six performer and a starter on ISU's 1944 Final Four team. He holds the distinction of being the first Cyclone drafted in the NBA.

“In the older days, to be from Iowa State it meant you were from a school from higher learning,” Wehde said. “Iowa State had the reputation of being a tough school to get a degree from. We felt when we told people we were from Iowa State, we were from the elite.”

Hercle Ivy, a member of ISU's All-Century team who will be honored at halftime tomorrow, was in town touching base with his former teammates. Ivy was a first-team all-Big Eight selection in 1975 and still holds ISU's single-season scoring record, averaging 28.3 points per game in the 1974-75 season.

“It is honor to be a part of the All-Century team,” Ivy said. “I enjoyed my time here at Iowa State and I appreciate what people thought I did for the school. I prided myself on being able to shoot the jumpshot and I thought I could shoot it from any part of the floor. The further people came out and guarded me, the further I went back.”

Another All-Century team member, Kelvin Cato, returned to Ames for the first time in eight years. Cato is in his first year away from a successful 10-year NBA career. Cyclone fans will always remember Cato's unbelievable shot-blocking ability and defensive presence while leading ISU to back-to-back NCAA appearances in 1996 and 1997.

“Playing at Iowa State was an exciting time for me,” Cato said. “The crowds we had were unbelievable and my coach Tim Floyd was one of the best coaches in basketball. He taught me a lot about basketball, but more importantly, he taught me how to be a man. My experience here really helped me when I got to the NBA.”

Fans with a ticket to the Iowa State-Nebraska game tomorrow afternoon can participate in an autograph session with members of the All-Century team beginning at 9:30 a.m., and view the alumni game beginning at Noon. You MUST have a game ticket to participate in both events. Pass-outs will be allowed for fans who wish to leave Hilton and return to the game. Members of the All-Century team will be honored at halftime and all former men's basketball alumni will be honored after the game. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

Iowa State University Athletics

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