Chris Street #40

[madguy30]

It really was shocking and maybe it was just the timing but definitely a 'where were you' moment.

Iowa was pretty good back then and I remember him being someone that played real hard and all indications were that he embodied what college athletics are about.

It obviously didn't heal any real wounds but even as an ISU fan (they were decent then too) it was very cool to see them go out and beat the Fab Five.

 

[Knownothing]

I am friends with a lot of Chris's family. Good people. His Nephew Tyler is commited to the Hawks for football. Also has a really good Niece playing basketball at Kingdom and soccer at Rush.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Many can remember where they were but I can't. I was 12 at the time which is old enough that I should remember. It's a unique thing that regardless which side of this rivalry you are on the players that are from this state that play in state you have great respect for because in the end we are all Iowans.

 

[IASTATE07]

Sweet boy and a devastating loss. Doesn’t seem that long ago. Rest In Peace.

Are you from the Humeston area?

 

[carvers4math]

Are you from the Humeston area?

No but have relatives there and Indianola also.

 

[ameslurker]

I was only 5 when this happened so I don't remember anything about it. I'll be honest I didn't really know about this until I started listening to 1460 a few years ago. At first I didn't really get what the fuss was about. Was it tragic? Of course, but still didn't get the coverage. Over the past few years around this time I hear stories about him and what kid of young man he was (not just a basketball player but the person) and I can see it now. It sounds like he was a great guy and wish we had more people like this.

 

[stateofmind]

I was on Duff Ave just South of Happy Joe's when I heard it. I was attending ISU and felt terrible. I had also worked with the plow truck driver the summer before when I went home to work on the Johnson County Secondary road crew. Such a loss.

 

[BigLame]

A great person. Hard to believe it has been that long. Will never forget that night.

Little nugget - he was pretty darn good QB in HS. Had to be imposing seeing someone his size stiff arming dudes as he was back throwing passes.

 

[carvers4math]

I was only 5 when this happened so I don't remember anything about it. I'll be honest I didn't really know about this until I started listening to 1460 a few years ago. At first I didn't really get what the fuss was about. Was it tragic? Of course, but still didn't get the coverage. Over the past few years around this time I hear stories about him and what kid of young man he was (not just a basketball player but the person) and I can see it now. It sounds like he was a great guy and wish we had more people like this.

I view it as similar to what ISU did on anniversary of cross country plane crash. These kids touch our lives and their youth adds a “what might have been” factor. Can’t imagine what it would have been like to lose someone like Fred or Georges when they were 20 years old in the heart of the basketball season.

 

[CloneGuy8]

I grew up just outside of Iowa City, so grew up a hawk fan. I was 7 when it happened, and remember my mom telling me about it. I remember being really sad about it.

 

[Nycclone]

Wasnt Hoiberg one of the first to do it?

Fred, Loren Meyer, klay Edwards, some other guy switched to 40 mid year when he died. That was the originator.

 

[ISUTex]

Chris was a good dude. Can't believe it's been 25 years.

 

[ISUTex]

A great person. Hard to believe it has been that long. Will never forget that night.

Little nugget - he was pretty darn good QB in HS. Had to be imposing seeing someone his size stiff arming dudes as he was back throwing passes.

He was a D1 Quarterback. He was also projected to get drafted as a pitcher.

 

[drmwevr08]

Growing up in Indianola it was a very big deal. I was a few years behind him but seemed to be quite nice and appreciative of the attention he got. Knew lots of lesser athletes over time who were massive jerks so I appreciate how he acted. I recall lying in my bed listening to coverage the next morning after hearing it was a snow day. I was also an Iowa fan at that time so it all seemed pretty surreal.

 

[BigLame]

He was a D1 Quarterback. He was also projected to get drafted as a pitcher.

He was just a very gifted, stud athlete, but what set him apart was his work ethic & his relentlessness. While a lot was expected of him, I think he exceeded expectations his first 2 years playing the amount he did & a lot had to do with the effort he always gave. You couldn’t help but notice & respect it, and he thoroughly enjoyed it & that showed just as clearly.

He wasn’t Mr Basketball in Iowa his senior year as that went to Mike Davis (who was a beast) of East Waterloo. Chris missed games due to injury though (probably was still close) & Indianola & East Waterloo met in the semis at State. Chris was back then but he was wearing a brace (think it was his Achilles), so he wasn’t even close to 100%. Indianola had another big guy taller than CS (forgetting his name at the moment) so they had a twin towers type of team. E Waterloo had MD & a bunch of really good athletes (1 was LeShane Sadler, who I think went to Notre Dame & played football). Great HS game.

 

[dexterhawk]

Very nice thread.

 

[jdoggivjc]

I grew up just outside of Iowa City, so grew up a hawk fan. I was 7 when it happened, and remember my mom telling me about it. I remember being really sad about it.

Similar story to me, although I grew up in Davenport. 25 years ago means I was 14 and an Iowa fan at the time (I would switch over to Iowa State 3 years later after getting my acceptance letter), although I could have sworn I was younger than that. It was a really rough time to be a basketball fan because Reggie Lewis and Drazen Petrovic died right around the same time as well. I had all three hand-drawn "jerseys" hung on my bedroom door as a memorial to them.

 

[drmwevr08]

I recall Bruce Overton who wasn't as tall as Chris, I don't think they had anyone else that big.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I was only 5 when this happened so I don't remember anything about it. I'll be honest I didn't really know about this until I started listening to 1460 a few years ago. At first I didn't really get what the fuss was about. Was it tragic? Of course, but still didn't get the coverage. Over the past few years around this time I hear stories about him and what kid of young man he was (not just a basketball player but the person) and I can see it now. It sounds like he was a great guy and wish we had more people like this.

Best way I could describe him is a Ryan Spangler with Dustin Hogue-like intensity and a lot of talent to match. Diving for every loose ball, fighting for every rebound. A guy that you absolutely love when he's on your team, and hate when he's not.

 

[heitclone]

Always been a Cyclone but as a kid I read every word the Omaha World Herald and DM Register sports pages on a daily basis so I had followed all the instate kids through their high school and college careers, hearing of Chris's passing hit pretty hard. Probably more out of being obsessed with Fred than Street, I wore #40 through jr high and high school.

Random related story, in high school I was part of the yearbook staff, at some point Jostens or some other company gave us a box of sample yearbooks that ended up in my trunk of my car and eventually my parents storage. Fast forward 15 years,my parents were purging all of my old crap and while sorting though stuff I found that box, one of the samples is an Indianola yearbook from his senior year.