Torn Achilles Comes With Silver Lining

Coach Jon Millea counts on former recruit, Dr. Bobby Ivey, in surgery

Men’s basketball alumni stood on Saggau Family Court during halftime of the Beavers’ victory over Luther College. In the middle are Jon Millea ’09 (on crutches) standing next to Dr. Bobby Ivey ’16, who performed surgery on Millea’s torn left Achilles a few days later. From left in the photo: Adam Jones ’00, Jim Demers ’92, Jamie Wilson ’98, Trevor Boettcher ’00, Barry Anderson ’88, Gunner Reed ’25, Tim Bryte ’01, Gabe Peterson ’25, Simon Daniel ’25, Jon Millea ’09 with children Evelyn and Cal, Dr. Bobby Ive
Men’s basketball alumni stood on Saggau Family Court during halftime of the Beavers’ victory over Luther College. In the middle are Jon Millea ’09 (on crutches) standing next to Dr. Bobby Ivey ’16, who performed surgery on Millea’s torn left Achilles a few days later. From left in the photo: Adam Jones ’00, Jim Demers ’92, Jamie Wilson ’98, Trevor Boettcher ’00, Barry Anderson ’88, Gunner Reed ’25, Tim Bryte ’01, Gabe Peterson ’25, Simon Daniel ’25, Jon Millea ’09 with children Evelyn and Cal, Dr. Bobby Ivey ’16 with children Augie and Bloom, Kennedy Drey ’17 with children Baylor and Berkley, Grady Gallagher ’15, Michael Demers ’22, Jacob Gaudreau ’24, Blake Butvidas ’25, Brody Gish ’25, and Zane Neubaum ’24.

With one minute remaining in the scrimmage that highlights Basketball Alumni Day at Buena Vista University, Jon Millea ’09 turned and began to fan out to guard a baseline three-point attempt.

His left Achilles thought otherwise.

Millea felt a “pop” and went straight to his back in the middle of the lane. Seconds later Millea, BVU’s former Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, saw his former player, Bobby Ivey ’16, standing over him.

“If I was going to get hurt, I did so playing with guys I love at a place that means so much. I guess I was also smart enough to do it within four feet of a guy I recruited and coached at BVU, a friend who went on to become my surgeon!”

-Jon Millea ’09

Millea opened his eyes and exclaimed with a mix of humor and frustration, “I am coaching next year!” He knew he’d torn his Achilles.

Ivey, now known as Dr. Bobby Ivey, (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint & Sports Surgeons), tended to his coach-turned-patient who sighed, smiled, and grimaced as the pain moved from his heel to his calf.

“I’m pretty sure it’s torn, but we’ll have to give it a closer look,” Ivey said.

Four days later it was Dr. Ivey who performed the surgery, Millea’s second Achilles procedure. He tore his right Achilles during a pickup basketball game in Siebens Fieldhouse one decade ago.

Ever the gamer, Millea headed home to his residence in Storm Lake following the alumni basketball scrimmage. He returned to Siebens Fieldhouse that afternoon to join other Beaver basketball alumni in waving to the crowd at halftime of the men’s game. He borrowed crutches for the occasion from Amy Maier, Director of Athletics at BVU. The event served as a chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2006 team (Millea’s freshman year) earning an Iowa Conference Tournament Championship. Millea was a junior and senior when the Beavers won regular season conference titles in 2008 and 2009, appearing in NCAA post-season play both years.

“Coach Millea showed heart and some great pain tolerance in coming back for our alumni recognition,” said Ivey, who was part of a conference basketball championship in 2015. Millea served his alma mater as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at that time.

Some 21 members of the men’s basketball program watched as the Beavers of Coach Jeff Horner defeated Luther College, 65-63. Earlier, nearly 20 women’s basketball alumni cheered and reconnected as the Beavers of Coach Kylee (Heiland) Boettcher ’02 defeated the Norse, 73-61. Both BVU teams would go on to earn a berth in the American Rivers Conference Basketball Tournament. The men’s team finished fifth in the league while the women’s team finished third in the league, the highest finish for the team since 2006.

Millea, who serves as Storm Lake Middle School Counselor, likely counseled himself while reflecting on what was likely his last appearance as a player in the alumni basketball scrimmage. He laughed and found the silver lining, of course.

“If I was going to get hurt, I did so playing with guys I love at a place that means so much,” he said. “I guess I was also smart enough to do it within four feet of a guy I recruited and coached at BVU, a friend who went on to become my surgeon!”
 

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