Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round) on March 10, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 73
Final Score
Men's Basketball
66
vs No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round)
73
The University of Utah Athletics
Hard Work Does Pay Off
2/15/2006 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2006
By Scott Pettett, Assistant Sports Information Director
It can be easy to take a lot of things for granted in our fast-paced world. But, in Casey Iverson's case, he's learned to appreciate everything he's got.
Iverson joined the Utes just last season, after two years of playing junior college basketball. He joined the 2004-05 Utes as walk-on and has since been awarded for his effort and dedication. Iverson is one of a handful of athletes who not only got the chance to walk-on to a Division I team, but he worked hard enough to earn a scholarship for his senior season.
"I didn't seeing it coming at all," remarked Iverson. "I found out a couple weeks before school started and it was a complete surprise to me ... a nice surprise."
The 6-2 guard wasn't the only one who relished in the news.
"My family was very happy, thankful and appreciative for the scholarship," Iverson recalled. "Last year, I worked about 25 hours per week in addition to basketball and a full class load. It's nice not having the burden of working this year."
The scholarship has had an immediate impact on Iverson's life. After juggling the lives of basketball player, student and part-time worker, the scholarship has allowed Iverson to focus in on what's important right now ... his education.
"I wouldn't have been able to take the 19 credits that I'm taking right now," said Iverson. "If I didn't have the scholarship, I would've had to take 12 hours and try to work my job back into the picture. It's allowed me to take more classes and make Utah my job now."
It wasn't just hard work that got Iverson a scholarship. It was also a long, hard road the Huntsman Center for Iverson. The Taylorsville High grad got his career started at Casper (Wyo.) College before settling on the College of Eastern Utah for his sophomore campaign. Finally coming to Utah, though, meant Iverson got to realize something he's always wanted to do.
"I always wanted to play Division I basketball," Iverson said. "It's been a rocky road for me, playing at two junior colleges before coming to Utah. It's nice to be here at the U. playing in front of my family and for a school as good as Utah."
Iverson has played on three different teams in the last four year and has finally found a team that is "truly and honestly the best team I've been on."
"We could never recreate this team and the atmosphere we have in the locker room," noted Iverson. "Hopefully, it translates into wins for us." But, despite his short tenure as a Ute, he does realize that his days as a senior are numbered.
"I do see myself as a senior," explained Iverson. "This is my last opportunity. I know it's been a rocky road for me to get here. I wasn't as heavily recruited as the other guys on the team and I had to claw my way to get on this team. But, now that I'm here, I have to wait for my opportunity and make the best of it when it comes."
And if you don't think Iverson appreciates the opportunity that has been afforded to him, be aware that the countdown is on!
"I have it figured out somewhere that I only have a [small number] of days left as I collegiate athlete," Iverson said. "I look at that and keep that in the back of my mind because it reminds to that I have to go out and do the best that I can everyday. There are not too many days left for me as a college athlete."
Players Mentioned
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