’72-’74 Men’s Basketball

Bob wanted a college that was close to home and Iowa Lakes fit the bill.  Plus, he made a connection with Coach Ben Hix, which is why coach had the biggest impact on Bob when he was a Laker.

He still holds career, single season, and single game rebounding records for the Lakers: first in career rebounds with 771, first in single season rebounds with 426 as a sophomore; third in single season rebounds with 345 as a freshman; first in single game rebounds with 24.  Bob is also fifth in career scoring with 1,231.

As a freshman, he helped the team finish 14-11; averaged 13.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 points; was a team co-captain; and was named team “most valuable player.” During his sophomore season the team ended 24-4 on the season averaging 99.7 points per game; received a #15 rank in the NJCAA national poll; and finished second in the conference.  Bob was named first team All-Conference; led the conference in rebounding with 15.2 per game; averaged 23.1 points per game; was a team co-captain; was name team MVP; and was an All-Tournament selection at the Iowa Lakes tournament.

He feels fortunate to have great teammates from both years; some which he is still is in contact with.  Some fond memories Bob has about being a Laker are the tournaments in North Platte, Nebraska and Bethany Lutheran; games at Webster City; and practice at 7pm or later in the high school gym because Iowa Lakes did not have their own facility at that time.

There were more than a few people that helped form who Bob is today, not only from the college, but from the community as well.  Instructors: Dave Peterson, Ev Drevs, Roy Powers, Shorty Hubers, Ed Purdy, Dick Williams, Denny Hageman, and Iowa Lakes President Dick Blacker. Community: John and Carolyn Walz “from the time I was playing all the way through my coaching career.” – Adoptive families; Daryl and Greg – bus drivers; Ron Moritz and Don Koons; Jim and Julie Willey; Gladys and Eldon Sabin; Dr. Bill Moreau; Assistant Coaches: Bill Leonard, Steve Loy, Lance Winter, Billy Eckenrod, Brent Kuker, Todd Kramer, Dave Schlabaugh, and Darin Moeller; and many others who helped support the Laker programs and players - making Iowa Lakes a great place to attend college.

After receiving his Business degree from Iowa Lakes, Bob headed to the University of Nebraska in Omaha to continue his education and basketball career.  The Mavericks qualified for the NCAA Div. II Regionals both years, finishing second in the North Central region his senior year.  Bob graduated Cum Laude with degrees in Education and Business.

From 1981-1997, Bob worked at Iowa Lakes Community College as an instructor, Director of Student Life, Athletic Director, and Head Men’s Basketball Coach.  In Bob’s 16 seasons as Iowa Lakes Head Men’s Coach, the Lakers won 336 games while only losing 150.  His teams averaged over 22 wins per season.  He remains the all-time leader in wins at Iowa Lakes.  Highlighting his teams were two national tournament teams: the ’92 team finished second and the ’94 team finished fourth.  There are ten players at Iowa Lakes who have scored over 1000 career points; Bob coached nine of them.  The only exception is Bob himself.

Since then he has been an administrator for the ELC School District and the Director of the Regional Wellness Center.

Bob would like to thank his wife Jean; his daughters Jenny and Lorrie; Son-in-Laws Iam and David; and his grandchildren – Jaydan, Braylon, Jersie, Jace, Trinden, and Joee.

Congratulations Bob Grems on being named to the First Ever Laker Hall of Fame.