By Al Rabenold
Writers comments: The following story was first written ten years ago in January of 2013. I have added some updates for 2023. It was very difficult to write as it brought back many of the same emotions our family felt on that tragic night thirty years ago. Usually I write with the hope that my column will entertain you as well as inform you about the “good old days”. This was written to help keep the memory of Chris Street alive. He was one of us, an Iowan. In his short time on this earth, his name became a household word in many of our homes. We loved Chris because he played with passion, he was sincere and he had a smile that made you feel good. Chris Street — #40 Forever.
SUMMER BB CAMP: In the summer of 1992, over 90 campers, grades 5th thru 9th were treated to special workout with Hawkeye basketball star Chris Street at the Montezuma gym. To the delight of onlookers and coaches, campers Bret Grier of Monroe and Casey Hopkins of Troy, Missouri, “challenged” the 6’8” Street and Monte 5th grader Jordan Fraker to a game of 2-on-2.
A former all-stater in three different sports while prepping at Indianola High School, Street played his role to perfection, making sure the boys had a wonderful and memorable experience. Montezuma Republican editor Cathe Wilson was there to take photos, thus preserving a special moment in time for all involved.
FAST FORWARD TO JANUARY 1993: Now well into his junior season, Street started all 15 games and was Iowa’s 3rd leading scorer averaging 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. The Hawks were 12-3 and ranked 14th in the Associated Press Poll. Although the Duke Blue Devils defeated the Hawks 65-56 in a nationally televised game on January 16, the play of Chris Street kept Hawk fans upbeat. Against Duke, Street scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while setting a University of Iowa record by making his 34th consecutive free-throw.
THE LOCAL SCENE: On Tuesday, January 19, 1993, the Montezuma Braves beat HLV 95-58 to hold on to the top spot in the SICL. Scott Rabenold hit 5 treys in the first quarter as the Braves got off to a fast start, leading 34-11 after just one period of play at Victor. By halftime Rabenold had 26 points, outscoring the entire Warrior squad, as the Braves took a commanding 59-25 lead into the locker room.
EVERYONE PLAYED: Senior co-captain Rob Rindels scored 17 points as ten different Braves saw action in three quarters or more in the Braves’ 95-58 win.
Senior Corey Holland had a great game, scoring 14 points and blocking 3 shots. The talented Tracy Caves turned in another double-double, scoring 11 points while pulling down 10 rebounds. Caves also dished out 6 assists.
Football star Jay Hart showed he could play roundball, too, as he had a team-high 8 assists and 4 steals while scoring 4 points. Junior Eric Allen came off the bench to score a quick 5 points.
THE ‘HOOD: Senior Curt Anderson scored 7 points. His total along with Rabenold’s 28 and Rindels’ 17, gave the North 9th Street neighborhood trio 52 points, just six less than HLV’s final total of 58. Rounding out the scoring for MHS was Justin Boeding with 6, Chad Shaffer 2 and Lonnie McClain 1 point. The undefeated Braves (10-0) were ranked #7 in Class 2A by the Des Moines Register.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: So, January 19, 1993 was a good night for Montezuma basketball, right? One to remember? Memorable yes, but for another reason. While Monte fans were watching Bravette forward Janel Grimm score 64 points in a 111-88 win vs. HLV, a terrible accident was taking place less than 40 miles east.
NO IDEA: In 1993 there were no cell phones, twitter, e-mails, texts, or Facebook. News was spread by radio, tv, or word of mouth rather than the “instant messaging” we are now accustomed to.
My first inclination that something was wrong came as I stepped onto the bus to hear a loud disagreement between our players who should have been in a jovial mood after playing such a fine game.
I remember hearing the boys arguing in loud voices. Before I could get a handle on what was happening, assistant coach John Bushong appeared at the bus door. John had driven his own car to the game and had left immediately afterwards. Why would he come back to the bus…unless something was wrong? And then John told me the terrible news that he had heard on the radio. What followed was a very long bus ride home, a sick feeling and many tears.
THE WORST: Many Montezuma fans were in Victor at HLV’s new gym watching our girls play another game in what was the last season of 6-on-6 basketball, when Chris Street was killed. Street died at 6:49 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 1993, when the car he was driving was struck broadside by a Johnson County snowplow driven by Charles Pence of Iowa City. Street died at the scene while his passenger, Kimberly Vinton, 20, also of Indianola, was hospitalized.
THE FACTS: Street had just left the Hawkeye basketball team meal at the Highlander Inn off Highway 1 on the north side of Iowa City. According to Pence, Street stopped but then pulled out to turn south, into the path of the northbound snowplow. Pence didn’t even have time to honk.
TIME FREEZES: Most Americans born before 1955 remember exactly where they were when they heard the news that JFK had been assassinated. Three decades later, it was a similar eerie feeling for nearly 3 million Iowans as the state mourned the unexpected death of a 20-year old who was far more than just an Iowa basketball star.
Iowa’s Big Ten games and Indianola High School games where Chris’ sister, Sarah, was a senior starter on the girls’ team were postponed. Sarah Street was the only family member to speak at the funeral held on January 22 before an overflowing crowd of 2,500 people at the First Assembly of God Church in Indianola.
AT MSU: The Hawks didn’t play again until January 28th at Michigan State. In their first game without Chris Street, they played in a fog of emotion, before rallying behind Val Barnes’ 29 points for a 96-90 victory in 3 overtimes!
Acie Earl scored 27 points and pulled down 16 rebounds while honoring Street with the number 40 shaved in the back of his head. After the win emotionally exhausted Hawk players and fans pointed to the sky as tears dripped down their faces.
FAB FIVE: Just three days after their overtime win at East Lansing, the Hawks played their second game without Chris Street. The vaunted Fab Five of Michigan — Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson were coming to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Val Barnes scored 27 points while Acie Earl had 19 points and blocked 5 shots as the courageous Hawkeyes beat the Wolverines 88-80!
TWENTY FIVE YEARS LATER: On Saturday, January 20, 2018, the Hawks hosted the Purdue Boilermakers on the 25th anniversary of Chris Street’s death. Past recipients of the Chris Street Award were recognized along with the Street family, including Sarah, who ironically did her student-teaching in Marcy James, kindergarten class at Montezuma many years ago.
CMS #40 FOREVER: Born February 2, 1972, and graduated from Indianola High School in 1990, Street would be looking forward to celebrating his 51st birthday, were he alive today. A Hawkeye to the end, Street was buried wearing his #40 gold U of I uniform under his Hawkeye warm-up jacket. He was clutching a rose. Now thirty years later, 2023, there will still be a lot of emotion, many tears and people pointing to the sky in honor and remembrance of one of the greatest Hawkeyes ever – Chris Street!