Memory of Kenny Arnold will be honored at July fundraising event in Storm Lake
A special release to AllHawkeyes
STORM LAKE, Iowa – Several Hawkeye legends – including Ronnie Lester, Bobby Hansen, Vince Brookins and Mike “Tree” Henry – will be descending upon Storm Lake again this summer, giving Iowa fans a terrific opportunity to share memories and laughs with some of their favorite former Hawks.
Based on the tremendous success of similar events the past two summers, the Kenny Arnold Foundation has scheduled another “Teammates For Life” weekend at Buena Vista University Golf Course at Lake Creek Country Club in Storm Lake on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13.
There will be two events that Hawkeye fans will enjoy:
• On Friday, July 12, Lake Creek will host a “Meet & Greet” featuring live music and a chance to share memories with several Hawkeye legends.
• On Saturday, July 13, a four-person, best-shot golf tournament will include appearances by several former Hawkeye athletes and feature many unique auction items.
Kenny Arnold, a sophomore guard who led that Hawkeye team in points and assists, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1985 and fought health issues for more than three decades until his death six weeks ago on April 27, 2019.
The members of the 1980 Iowa men’s basketball team who played in the Final Four spent a large portion of the last 35 years helping to care for Arnold.
“We wanted to continue this Teammates For Life weekend in Storm Lake as a way to honor Kenny and the inspiring way in which he battled cancer, and every obstacle that came along with that fight,” says former Iowa teammate Mike “Tree” Henry. “We have all had such a great time in Storm Lake the last two summers, so we are definitely looking forward to coming back, getting together, visiting with fans and friends … and it’s all for a great cause.”
Arnold’s former Iowa teammates and coaches, and the entire Hawkeye Basketball Family – his “Teammates For Life” – stayed in contact with Arnold throughout his medical and financial challenges. Various events generated funds for Arnold and helped him receive regular physical therapy, which helped him push through incredible physical difficulties.
“Kenny was always a tremendous leader,” says Henry. “At the time of his initial diagnosis, the doctors gave him a 10 percent chance of surviving. Well, Kenny fought a courageous battle for 35 years. All of his former teammates, friends and fans are so inspired by how he lived his life, we want to continue to honor Kenny and help motivate other people who are facing similar battles.”
Henry is the Executive Director of the Kenny Arnold Foundation, which has a mission to raise funds to be directed toward cancer research and education.
“Kenny was such an inspiration,” says Henry. “So, we want to share his story and inspire others to keep fighting, as well as motivate those who can helps others to take action and become a part of someone’s ‘Teammates For Life.’”
The former Hawkeyes who are expected to attend the events in Storm Lake include: Ronnie Lester, Bobby Hansen, Vince Brookins, Mike “Tree” Henry, Jon Darsee, Todd Berkenpas, Waymond King, Greg Stokes, Michael Payne, Steve Waite, Kyle Galloway, Johnie Butler, Darryl Moore and Kevin Boyle.
There will be a “Meet & Greet” gathering with the former Hawkeyes who will be in Storm Lake on Friday, July 12 at Lake Creek Country Club. There will be a social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a dinner, including pulled pork sandwiches.
The popular and talented Kevin Burt, who won the International Blues Competition in 2018, will provide live music after the dinner. Tickets for this event will be $30, benefiting the Kenny Arnold Foundation.
This will give Hawkeye fans a unique chance to mingle with the former Hawks. Auction items that are available include basketballs, footballs and helmets autographed by Hawkeye legends, framed photos and more. These items will be on display at Lake Creek Country Club for the week prior to the “Teammates For Life” event.
The entry fee for the “Teammates For Life” golf tournament is $80 per person, which includes lunch and a dinner on Saturday after the tourney. If you register and pay by June 30, the cost drops to $70 per person.
The four-person, best-shot tourney begins at 10 a.m. on July 13. If you’re interested in registering a team for the outing, please call Joe Powell, Manager at Buena Vista University Golf Course at Lake Creek Country Club at (712) 732-1548.
Iowa fans who attended these events in the past couple of years had a fantastic time and many were surprised at how much time they were able to spend visiting with the former Hawks.
“As a group, we love to visit with the Hawkeye fans,” said Henry. “I’ve been telling my friends for years that Iowa has the best fan base in the world and they continue to surprise me with how much they care. I know that the love and support that Kenny was shown throughout the years motivated him to continue to fight and helped him stay positive.”
The title sponsors for these “Teammates For Life” events are: Security Trust & Savings Bank of Storm Lake, Redenbaugh & Mohr Law Office of Storm Lake, Stille Pierce & Pertzborn of Storm Lake and Talk To Me Technologies of Cedar Falls.
People who would like to donate may also go to the KennyArnoldFoundation.org website to make a onetime or annual donation.
KENNY ARNOLD’S IOWA CAREER (1979-82) Scored 1,112 points…handed out 352 assists (9th all-time in Iowa history)…led Final Four team in points and assists (1980)…played on Iowa’s last Big Ten champion (1979)…during his four years, Iowa finished 1st, 4th, 2nd and 2nd in the Big Ten…second all-time in Iowa history for minutes played in NCAA Tournament (350)…fourth in Iowa history for points scored in Final Four games (39)…one of three players in Iowa history to score 20+ points in a Final Four game (Carl Cain, Bill Logan, Kenny Arnold)…never left the court in the last game of his Iowa career (45 minutes)…one of six Hawkeyes to finish career with at least 1,100 points, 350 assists, 250 rebounds and 80 steals…led team in points in 1980 (444)…led team in assists in 1980 (142)…led team in assists in 1981 (110).
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