SWIM. BIKE. RUN.

       In 1973, Stan Sheriff, Dr. Bill Thrall and Dr. John Kamerick saw fit to offer me the job as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Northern Iowa.  I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to coach at UNI.
      We struggled for the first few years in the North Central Conference, but finally won the league championship and qualified for the Division II NCAA Tournament.  We lost a close game to Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round in Omaha.
      After several years of playing in the North Central I was told we were going to build a dome and transition to Division I in basketball.   To do this, it was a requirement that you schedule 85 percent of your games against other Division I schools.  Getting these schools to play us was very difficult, and then we had to try to convince them to play the Panthers in Cedar Falls.  
      The first year we played 17 of the 27 games on the road.  We were playing teams like Alabama, Kansas, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Missouri, Iowa State, and Iowa.  Needless to say, this was not easy.  Eventually we formed the Mid-Continent Conference with Eastern and Western Illinois, Green Bay, and Illinois-Chicago as they were making the move to Division I, also.  This helped our scheduling, but there was still much work to finalize the schedules and get schools to play at Cedar Falls.  Finally, Iowa State, Missouri, Kansas State, and Wisconsin agreed to play us on our home court.  We were able to defeat Kansas State and Wisconsin.  These were huge wins for us.
      I cannot say enough about the young men who played for me during this period of time.  The transition from Division II to Division I was more difficult than what I had imagined, but the guys who played were great warriors.  They enjoyed the challenge and did everything that was asked of them.  I will never forget them and their effort.
      I would like to say something about my three assistants during this challenging time -- Dan Breitbach, Dan Traeger and Paul Swanson.  These three coaches were very dedicated, loyal and hard working.   They helped in recruiting, scouting, coaching and preparing the players for games.  All continue to be big UNI fans as shown by their attendance at the Sweet 16 game, cheering the NOW Panthers on.
      In 1986 , my first wife Mary Gene and I decided to leave UNI, moving to Arizona where my three sons lived.  We spent two years relaxing and enjoying family.  We moved back to Waterloo when my father became ill.  I started teaching and coaching at Union High School in La Porte City.   In 1995, Mary Gene passed away from cancer.
      I was at Union 10 years before I suffered a brain aneurysm which required that I retire from these duties.  After recuperating, I was asked to help Columbus High School with the basketball program.  I was there six years as head men’s basketball coach!
      In 1997 I married Teri.  She has been a God send.  She has gone through the brain aneurysm, and in 1998 I was diagnosed with cancer.  She has been there for me through all of this.   How lucky I have been to have Teri there for me.
      Two summers ago, following my retirement from Columbus, I was playing golf with UNI Coach Ben Jacobsen.  I asked Coach Jake if he could have a volunteer assistant coach.   I ended up consulting for him.  
      Going to two NCAA Tournaments and last year to the Sweet 16 has been a dream come true for me.  
      The players the past two years have been typical Panther players.  Great athletes but most important, gentlemen on and off the court.  The big difference between the THEN players who played for me and the NOW players is they are bigger, stronger, and faster.  I feel so fortunate to be involved with the three assistant coaches -- Ben Johnson, Kyle Greene and P.J. Hogan -- who are very knowledgeable and great people.  Also, Brooks McKowen and Derrick Netten, Director of Basketball Operations.  I can’t begin to tell you how much they have helped with the success of the NOW Panthers.
      Last but not least is Coach Jake.  I cannot tell you how much I have learned from him.  After 50 years of coaching, I thought I knew it all but what I have learned from Coach Jake is not so much the X’s and O’s, but how to handle players.  He is so calm and cool.  Yes, he gets upset, but he knows how to handle players.  I wish I had known how to do it the way he does.  I would have been a much better coach.  Hopefully, I can continue to be part of his program for years to come.

Jim Berry passed away soon after this column was submitted.  Cedar Valley Athlete sends prayers to family, friends and former players.