Paul Gallagher | Blogger
As many of my readers have figured out, this blog is usually full of comedy and just something to read while you are bored. As much as I enjoy taking shots at people and making my readers laugh, today I’d like to take a moment to remember one of my teammates and good friends, Brett Heitkamp. Brett graduated from Buena Vista last year and played four years of basketball for the Beavers, and Coach Van Haaften. Brett passed away earlier this week, and the details still are not clear. All I have heard is that Brett may have had a problem with fluid in his lungs. I have played on the same team as Brett the past two seasons and the way he carried himself and lived his life has really opened my eyes.
Growing up I was always taught by my parents that the most important thing you can do in life is be nice to other people. Brett must have been taught the same thing because he lived by this saying every day. I cannot think of a single time in the two years I knew Brett that he was ever mean to another person. He almost always had a huge smile on his face and genuine love in his heart. He cared about people he didn’t even know and his spirit could not be broken.
The first time I met Brett was at a basketball game. After getting to know him that’s not surprising. He loved the game and his work ethic showed it. Coach Van Haaften has always talked highly of Brett. As a player, a worker, and a person. Brett Heitkamp’s basketball story is a unique one. He didn’t come to BV as the star of his high school team, or an all-state player. He came to BV with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder and a determination that he could do big things. VH likes to tell the story of Brett’s last high school game, during the game Brett only got a minute of playing time. This would discourage most athletes but four short years later Brett had improved himself enough to be a key contributor on a pair of Iowa Conference Championship teams. This didn’t happen on accident though. He worked extremely hard, put in countless hours in the gym and weight room, and left no regrets behind. Brett even tried to further his basketball career after college and got invited to a pro-camp, where he was evaluated by some top scouts in the basketball world. I hope Brett and his supporters were proud of what he accomplished in basketball and I hope others are inspired by his story and drive to never give up.
Brett was a good player on the court, but almost everyone, including me, will remember him for how great of a person he was off the court. Brett was well known as the tall guy walking around campus with a big ol’ smile on his face. He was always talking to someone, whether he knew them or not didn’t matter. His goofiness and grin from ear to ear was electric and could light up an entire room. He was often the person, in team meetings that would say a random and awkward one-liner that didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but still made everyone smile and lightened the mood just as he intended.
One of my favorite memories of Brett will be when he and Greg Sibenaller, another former teammate of mine hosted BV’s annual triviathon. This game of trivia is a competition between all the different residence halls at Buena Vista. It is aired on UCN, and every year a few well-liked students are asked to host the event. Last fall Greg and Brett hosted the triviathon and really did a great job. They kept the mood light, everyone laughing, and even convinced someone watching to bring them free La Juas burritos. They were having a good time goofing around and allowing the people watching in their dorms a little free entertainment. Examples like this remind me of how great of a person Brett truly was.
Whether it was his infectious smile, or that whirling hook shot that reminded us all of a present day Kevin McHale, Brett will be greatly missed by many. Situations like this should remind us to never take life for granted. Hug your parents next time you see them, tell your best friends you love them, because life is a precious thing and you can never know when it may be the last time you see someone. I know that Brett is up above looking down on us right now smiling that big smile and helping us all get through this tough time. I hope this made you smile thinking about a great son, brother, and friend, Brett.
Thank you.
