Petersen Is Living The Dream

AMES, Iowa- Bryan Petersen knows he's got just one more chance to lead his team out on the Hilton Coliseum floor next weekend. Petersen, who has been a staple in Iowa State's starting lineup for the past two seasons, has truly been an inspirational success story in his two-year stint with the Cyclones.

“It's hard to put it into words,” Petersen said. “The last couple weeks I've been thinking about my career coming to an end. It's been unbelievable. The people I've gotten to meet out here and being associated with this team, the fans are just unreal. Coming out here and playing in Hilton Coliseum and then going on the road in the Big 12 has just been unreal. It's been a heck of an opportunity. I've learned a lot from it, and I've grown from it too.”

It's been an amazing ride for the former walk-on from Clinton, Iowa. Petersen had a solid prep career at Clinton High School, but he wasn't getting a ton of looks to continue his basketball career at the next level.

He lettered in four sports in high school (golf, baseball, track & field and basketball), earning all-state honors in both baseball and track & field. However, there was little doubt where Petersen's heart was. It was in the gym.

Petersen decided to keep his basketball dream alive by playing at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one of the best Division II junior college programs in the nation. After seeing time as a reserve as a freshman, Petersen helped lead his squad to the conference championship and a 26-6 overall record as a sophomore. Kirkwood was ranked as high as No. 7 nationally thanks to the emergence of Petersen. He averaged 12.3 points and made 41.0 percent of his 3-pointers (66-161).

By season's end, Petersen was named a first-team Division II Junior College All-American and was receiving offers from low to mid-major Division I schools. Ever the competitor, he wanted to play against the best, so he turned down scholarship offers and accepted ISU head coach Greg McDermott's invitation to join the team as a preferred walk-on. It's a decision he's never regretted.

“The opportunity to play in my home state for a Division I school that I grew up watching was something I wanted to do,” Petersen said. “I'm from Iowa and I've followed Iowa State athletics throughout my whole life. I went on a visit and came to a game and I've always known about the Cyclone fans. It's always been my dream and I was given an opportunity and I went with it.”

The odds of Petersen, who eventually earned a scholarship in both of his seasons in Ames, starting in ISU's backcourt for every game the past two years were rather slim, but that's exactly what he's achieved. Through hard work and court savvy, Petersen will make his 61st consecutive start this weekend at Texas A&M, something Petersen never dreamed would happen.

“I never really thought that would happen,” Petersen said about his consecutive start streak. “I do know, however, everything I've ever done in my life, whatever I've concentrated on, I've gotten some pretty good results. I knew that if I came in here and worked really hard that something good could happen. Lucky enough I've had a lot of opportunities here, but it's worked out really well and I've been really happy.”

He's taking advantage of his lifelong dream by posting consistent numbers for the Cyclones. He currently averages 6.3 points, 2.8 assists and is second on the team in 3-pointers made with 42. Petersen ranks in ISU's top-10 in career 3-pointers made (90) and assist/turnover ratio (1.70 a/t). Not bad for a walk-on.

Petersen's contributions on the court go beyond pure numbers, however. McDermott has often referred to the senior as his coach on the court.

“He is our coach on the floor,” McDermott said. “A lot of times we watch film and we see the plays Petey makes and the fires he puts out on the defensive end that never show up on the stat sheet because of his ability to read a situation and help a teammate. That's what he brings to us.”

Petersen will jump right into his next chapter of his life as a graduate assistant for the Cyclones next season. He still has some classes to take next year before graduation in the fall of 2009 with a degree in kinesiology. It's a perfect chance for Petersen to keep an association with the game he loves.

“I've really found out that coaching was something I really wanted to do,” Petersen said. “This is one game I've loved my whole life, and it's an opportunity to keep doing it as a career and Coach Mac has given me the opportunity to do that next year. I'm really looking forward to it.”

His coach is optimistic about his future in the business.

“He's a good player, but I think he has a chance to be a better coach because he has a great feel for the game,” said McDermott.

Getting To Know Bryan Petersen
Why Did You Choose Iowa State?: ISU has a great basketball tradition and the opportunity to play at the highest level
Best Books You Have Ever Read: Driven (Michael Jordan) and Drive (Larry Bird)
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Movie: Rebound
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
Favorite Actor: Vince Vaughn
Biggest Athletic Thrill: Achieving goals people thought you wouldn't be able to do.
Athlete I Most Admire: Michael Jordan
What I Like To Do To Relax: Golf or watch a movie
Person I Would Like To Meet: Michael Jordan
Fun Facts: Petersen was an all-state baseball player in high school, leading his conference in batting his senior season at .437...delivered pizzas in high school for Happy Joes, where his father, Mike, was the general manager.

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Bryan Petersen

Bryan Petersen

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