Inside Iowa State

June 28, 2007

History returns to Hilton

by Erin Rosacker

Grayer. Hornacek. Alexander. Hoiberg. Tinsley. Five of the 15 names chosen to Iowa State's all-century men's basketball team, and five of the estimated 40 former Cyclone and collegiate basketball greats who will honor one of their own during an all-star weekend July 20-21.

Barry Stevens died in February after suffering a heart attack at age 43. He was a two-time first-team all-conference performer who finished his career as the Cyclones' leading scorer. The Flint, Mich., native played for legendary coach Johnny Orr from 1982 to 1985, and also owns a spot on the elite all-century squad.

Stevens' fraternity of basketball brothers will participate in two days of events, raising money for the Barry W. Stevens Education and Health Foundation and the American Heart Association.

"There are two things we would like to do," said Jeff Grayer, a prep, collegiate and NBA teammate of Stevens. "We want to create an awareness about heart health and we want to assist in the education of Barry's three children."

The all-star weekend opens with a golf outing (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and silent auction on Friday, July 20, at The Harvester golf course in Rhodes. The silent auction is open to the public. Donated and autographed items will be available for bid in the clubhouse.

Friday evening, boys and girls ages 8 to 17 can participate in a basketball skills clinic at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center (4-8 p.m.). Six current or former professional players will be on hand as instructors. Registration is $100.

Saturday will be a Cyclone basketball fan's dream. The doors of Hilton Coliseum open at 10 a.m., giving ticket holders an exclusive autograph session (10-11 a.m.). Next, a health fair will feature presentations on topics such as heart health, blood pressure and cholesterol. Screenings will be offered to participants.

At 1 p.m., the past will come alive as former players take the floor for the "ISU Hilton Magic All-Star Celebrity Basketball Game." In addition to former Cyclone players, a handful of players who Stevens mentored in his hometown also will participate. The game will feature four 10-minute quarters.

In addition to the five all-century team members, the rosters will feature names from several eras, including Lafester Rhodes, Ron Virgil, Will Blalock and Sam Hill. Johnny Orr will be on the sidelines as an honorary coach.

"We're going to mix old and young, for sure," Grayer laughed. "We don't want the young guys running the older guys ragged. We just want to create an atmosphere where fans can actually get a chance to see all of their Iowa State favorites."

It wasn't hard to round up past players to participate in the charity event, Grayer said. And that's part of what he said was so special about Stevens.

"When word traveled about Barry, every player that came through Iowa State realized what he meant to the program," Grayer said. "So when we started making phone calls, it was very easy. They immediately asked, 'What can I do? Can I get involved?'"

Tickets ($20 for adults, $10 for youth 15 and under) for Saturday's event are available through Ticketmaster or the Iowa State Center box office. For more information about the weekend, or to make a donation, go online at http://www.barrystevensshootingstars.org.

ISU Hilton Magic All-Star Celebrity Basketball Game

Saturday, July 21

barrystevensshootingstars.org

Expected participants:

Victor Alexander

Ron Bayless

Will Blalock

Mike Born

Paul Doerrfeld

Jeff Grayer

Ron Harris

Sam Hill

Fred Hoiberg

Jeff Hornacek

Jamaal Tinsley

Julius Michalik

Johnny Orr

Tom Peterson

Lafester Rhodes

Elmer Robinson

Paul Shirley

Justus Thigpen

Marc Urquhart

Ron Virgil

Mateen Cleaves (Flint)

Morris Peterson (Flint)

Antonio Smith (Flint)