|
|
The Body and The Player
By Angela Lento
Imagine that it’s election night and the Governor-elect is giving his acceptance speech to a national audience. In the middle of his monologue he stops and says, “Hey how are you doing? It’s good to see you.”
No big deal, right?
Well -- when it’s former World Wrestling Federation star -- Jesse “The Body” Ventura -- It’s a big deal.
That’s exactly how it happened for Delaware basketball player Ryan Iversen on election night in Minnesota.
“It was really something,” says Iversen. “I don’t know how he saw me because there were so many people there. The next thing I knew it was on national news. After his speech he came up to my friend and me and invited us to a little private victory room. I can say that I was the first person in his room after he was elected Governor. That is pretty cool.”
As Iversen would put it, what’s even cooler is how his friendship with Governor Ventura began.
Iversen -- who turned 22 today (Nov. 21) -- was a two-sport star at Eden Prairie High School, in Minnesota. He re-wrote basketball record books and was a finalist for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball Award as a senior in 1997-98.
But it was his talents on the gridiron, which brought him in contact with Ventura.
He was the Associated Press Football Player of the Year in 1997 and led his team to back-to-back state titles, catching the game-winning touchdown on both occasions.
At the same time Iversen was a dominating force on the gridiron, Ventura had his own weekly talk radio program on K-FAN, devoted to high school football. And one Friday night, he interviewed Iversen.
It was quite a thrill for Iversen, who had grown up a big fan of “The Body,” and he knew that his boyhood idol had season tickets to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“During our interview I asked him what his future plans were,” laughs Ventura. “He said he wanted to see the Bulls and Timberwolves play so I took him to the game.”
And that’s how it all began.
“All night long he kept calling lucky,” says Iversen. “I had always won in high school and that night the Timberwolves beat the Bulls for the first time ever. He kept saying it was my touch and my luck that did it.”
Luck. Now there is something that every politician wouldn’t mind having, but that’s not what spawned this friendship.
“He is a young guy who has strong values,” says Ventura. “He impressed me with his respect for his parents; there was a good family relationship there. “We just hit it off very well even though I am twice his age. Although, I tend to think like I am a 21-year old most of the time.”
The highly recruited Iversen accepted a football scholarship from the University of Minnesota, but before he would suit up for the Gophers there was the matter of his high school graduation party and a surprise guest.
“Not only did Jesse show up, but he chatted with family, friends and a few wierdos,” says Iversen. “He knew that by showing up, people were going to be bothering him and stuff, but he seemed to really have fun. He stayed for two or three hours, which made me realize that he was my true friend and a truly good person.”
The amount of time spent by Ventura at the graduation gathering was nearly equal to the time Iversen remained a part of the Minnesota football team, saying “football just wasn’t fun anymore.”
He had given thought to playing for the Gophers basketball team, but an academic scandal and the subsequent firing of coach Clem Haskins, further reinforced his desires to play elsewhere.
So Iversen transferred to the University of Delaware to play for Mike Brey (now the head coach at Notre Dame). After sitting out a season, Iversen quickly emerged as one of the best sixth men in the America East Conference (Delaware is now in the Colonial Athletic Association).
But Delaware is a long ways from Minnesota so the two don’t chat quite as much as they once did, but they remain in contact through the mail and the occasional phone call.
Ventura jokingly admits that he is, “not good on the internet,” but Ryan sends him articles so that he can keep up with Delaware basketball.
There seems to be little doubt that the basketball player and the Governor will remain great friends.
Both are sports enthusiasts. Both are passionate in their pursuits. And both are committed to excellence.
And perhaps there is another commonality.
“There is a little Jesse Ventura in Ryan Iversen,” says the Governor. “He is fun loving kid and he has a ego, which he can back up.”
About the only thing that separates these two would be their opinions on the outcome of a WWF steel cage match.
“If Ryan and I were to climb into the ring today I would have to say Ryan would come out the victor, but in my prime I would,” laughs Ventura. “But then again I have more years of knowing how to cheat, so he may not beat me today.”
Score one point for the 50-year old Governor.
“He’s old and seems to be enjoying the meals,” laughs Iversen. “On the other hand, I’m a lean, mean, muscle machine. You make the call.”
One, two, three slaps of the hand on the mat and the winner is -- Friendship.
BOBBLE HEADS AND MUSIC
The bobble head doll craze -- that swept through major league baseball stadiums this past summer -- might be coming to a college basketball area near you very soon.
The first 2,500 fans through the turnstiles for this weekend’s Texas A&M-Lamar game (Nov. 24) will receive a bobble head doll of Lamar’s Mike Deane.
One coach wondered if the Deane bobble head cursed and yelled at you!
By the way, Governor Ventura has his own bobble head, which you can purchase at www.jesseventura.org.
On the music front -- Alabama coach Mark Gottfried’s good friend and former Crimson Tide player -- Jim Farmer released his own CD on Nov. 16.
His first single release from the album is "She Is." Adam Mitchell who has worked with Linda Ronstadt, KISS, and Manhattan Transfer produced Farmer’s album.
Farmer will sing two of his songs at halftime of the Alabama-Utah game (Nov. 26), but you cannot make the game you can check out Farmer’s music and pick up your own copy at www.jimfarmer.com.
RECIPES FOR SUCCESS
Auburn coach Cliff Ellis provided me with a Thanksgiving special, while Hampton coach Steve Merfeld served up his secret for upsetting North Carolina.
“Deep Fried Turkey” and “Ten Step Gravy,” from Cliff Ellis
Ellis says, “Seasoning is the key.” He recommends Lawrey’s seasoning salt, Greek seasoning, onion salt, garlic powder, worcestershire sauce and Louisiana hot sauce.
Apply desired amounts of each to your turkey and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Ellis recommends that you “apply generous amounts,” as it will fry up better.
The Auburn coach uses a fish fryer, but any deep fryer will work nicely.
Completely cover the turkey in peanut oil and fry three minutes for each pound, at 350 degrees.
According to Ellis, “It’s a tender and juicy turkey.” Ellis does NOT serve his Thanksgiving bird with gravy, but he has 10-step recipe for leftovers.
1. Head 2/3 cup oil medium heat
2. Add 1 ½ chopped onion
3. Add 3/4 cup bell pepper
4. Add 2 T garlic
5. Sautee until the onions are clear
6. Add 1 cup all-purpose flour and stir until the gravy turns brown
7. Add 1 T Worcestershire sauce, salt and cayenne pepper to taste
8. Add 3/4 cup chicken stock
9. Simmer and cook for an hour or until your liking
10. Serve over turkey
“Beef Roast Teriyaki,” from Steve Merfeld
The Hampton coach wasn’t able to serve up his specialty on game day so his Pirates served up a win over North Carolina instead.
3-4 lb. roast
1 clove garlic (1/8t garlic powder)
1T brown sugar
1/2t ground ginger
1/2t black pepper
1T Oil
2T water
1/4 cup soy sauce
Cut roast in 2" cubes & marinate for 2 hours. Turn occasionally. Grill or broil.
Coach Merfeld, Coach Ellis and I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Angela Lento is a big supporter of the “Bobbi Olson Foundation” and would like to urge you to make a contribution. For more information Click Here
CLICK HERE TO SEND ANGELA YOUR COMMENTS
(Head Coach: 3-8-2002) 1. Bruiser Flint
2. John Calipari
3. Gary Waters
4. Willis Wilson
5. Jay Wright
6. Paul Graham
7. Tubby Smith
8. Rick Pitino
9. Melvin Watkins
10.Mike JarvisPlaying Catch with Satchel Paige
The Captivating Conference Champions
Coach Brent Encourages Players to Build Professional Look
The Renaissance Man and Wrestling Alligators
Coaches Give Fashion Statements on Coaches
A Look at New Jersey's Stylish Coaches
Feb 4 FPI: John Calipari Remains No. 1
Sideline Style Poll is Clothes Call
Being No. 1 Suits Rutgers' Gary Waters Just Fine
Jan 21 FPI: John Calipari Tops Fashion Power Index
Carter, Felton, Lutz and Scruggs Combine Coaching and Style
Terry Gets Rave Reviews in North Carolina
Jan 7 FPI: Gary Waters Tops Fashion Power Index
Though Styles Differ, Smith and Pitino at Top of Their Game
December FPI: Georgetown and Drexel Top The Lists
Jesse "The Body" Ventura and a Kid at Delaware
Musical Talent in Kansas and Wyoming
The FPI, The Natural and a 7-Footer from Wal-Mart
Pennsylvania: America’s Most Stylish State
In Search of Bigfoot with Dale Brown
Auctioning off Auburn coach Cliff Ellis
UCLA's Steve Lavin Talks Fashion
John Feinstein Plugs Fashionable Four
(Assistant: 3-8-2002) 1. Wayne Brent
2. Gary Stewart
3. Steve Sauers
4. Ronny Thompson
5. Tony Jones
6. Patrick Sellers
7. Reggie Hanson
8. Lew Hill
9. Tom Schuberth
10.Jennifer Johnston
AMERICA EAST:
Tom Brennan
ATLANTIC COAST:
Skip Prosser
ATLANTIC SUN:
Don Maestri
ATLANTIC 10:
Bob Hill
BIG EAST:
Gary Waters
BIG SKY:
Joel Sobotka
BIG SOUTH:
Pete Strickland
BIG TEN:
Jerry Dunn
BIG 12:
Melvin Watkins
BIG WEST:
Kevin Bromley
COLONIAL:
Bruiser Flint
CONFERENCE-USA:
John Calipari
HORIZON:
Ed Schilling
IVY LEAGUE:
James Jones
METRO ATLANTIC:
Don Harnum
MID-AMERICAN:
Stan Joplin
MID-CONTINENT:
Homer Drew
MID-EASTERN:
Cy Alexander
MISSOURI VALLEY:
Barry Hinson
MOUNTAIN WEST:
Charlie Spoonhour
NORTHEAST:
Bobby Jones
OHIO VALLEY:
Kyle Macy
PACIFIC-10:
Paul Graham
PATRIOT LEAGUE:
Sal Mentesana
SOUTHEASTERN:
Tubby Smith
SOUTHERN:
Bob McKillop
SOUHTLAND:
Mike Deane
SOUTHWESTERN:
Lafayette Stribbling
SUN BELT:
Dennis Felton
WEST COAST:
Michael Holton
WESTERN ATHLETIC
Willis Wilson
Take a stroll down last season's Runway to the Fashionable Four
Copyright © 2001, College Insider.Com and Gametyme, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
