’86-’88 Men’s Basketball

Von chose Iowa Lakes to continue his career and education because he wanted to make his life better.

He has many records still for Laker men’s basketball including second in career scoring with 1,425; fifth in career rebounds with 561; and first in points in a single season with 894.  He was also honored as a NJCAA All-American; first team All-Region; All-Tournament Team in Region XI; Region XI All-Star Game participant; All-Tournament Butler Kansas Classic; Athlete of the Week -KTIV TV; NJCAA All-Star Team for the ABAUSA Club Championship that was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado; leading scorer in Iowa; Iowa's sixth Junior College rebounder; and “most valuable player” for the Lakers.

There were many things about Iowa Lakes that Von has fond memories of like receiving letters from kids throughout Iowa; Johnny Orr coming to a game to watch him play; the fact that Coach Grems hated zone defense as much as he did; hanging out with the Blum’s, the Loy’s, the Grems’ and the Morizt families; his 20 rebound game; and always trying to break Coach Grems’ records.

Coach Grems had this to say about Von. “Von was one of the best scorers I have ever coached.  He really improved over his two year at Iowa Lakes which allowed him to be successful at the next level."

Bob and Jean Grems, Steve and Marilyn Loy, Al and Linda Blum, Ron and Gloria Morizt - all Century Club members and Adoptive families - made the most impact on Von while he was here.

After earning his AA degree, he went to Oklahoma State and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.  At UWM, Von continued his successful basketball career being named to the UWM ALL- Century Team 1990s; sixth leading scorer in Div. I; scored 50 points at Illinois- breaking the Assembly Hall record of points with nine three-pointers in that game; third in the nation in steals; tenth in nation for three-pointers made; twice named national Independent Player of the week; runner up for ESPN's Windex Player of the week; fourth in Independent Conference three-point percentage; first in steals Independent Conference; named to the District IV Men's Basketball Team by the US Basketball Writers Association; and was drafted in the 2nd Round of the NBA draft to the New Jersey Nets.

Von is currently coaching AAU third and eighth- grade basketball teams; selling Real Estate; working in Dallas schools After-School Programs; is a basketball skills trainer for all levels; and a Dallas basketball official.

He would like to thank his ex-wife Shelby McDade, son Collin McDade, Grandmother Jannie McDade, Grandfather Boysie McDade, Aunt Debra McDade and Aunt Rita McDade.   He also added that Bob Grems is one of the most influential people of his life and he loves him for always ‘being there’. 

Congratulations Von McDade on being named to the First Ever Laker Hall of Fame.