Xavier’s Iversen commits to sports, music

CEDAR RAPIDS - Halftime provides an opportunity for players and fans to take a break and regroup.

Senior football player and marching band member Brian Iversen does not get to enjoy this luxury, deciding instead to show off his musical talents.

Playing the game of football is challenging enough. While toughness, tenacity and intelligence are important, practice time is crucial to success on the field. Each and every week provides a new challenge for the coaches and players, requiring great team chemistry during hours of practice, weight lifting and film review.

Practicing and preparing for a marching band performance also is difficult in its own unique way, with a significant amount of hours needed before school to synchronize the notes and movements to perfection.

During halftime of home football games, Iversen has the unique opportunity to demonstrate his talents in a whole new way - through the power of song. This commitment to music began at an early age, dating back to elementary school.

'I've been involved in band since the fifth grade and have been playing the trumpet ever since,” Iversen said.

This year, Iversen is the only varsity football player who also participates in the marching band. This requires discipline and time management in order to balance both activities. In addition to attending football practice in the afternoons, he attends morning marching band practice. On Friday nights, he takes off his shoulder pads during intermission of every home game and joins his fellow band members as they recreate the tale of 'West Side Story.”

'Brian is so impressive because he does his job well and does not complain,” band director Kelli Swehla. 'He's dedicated, organized and is always ready to improve. It's awesome when students decide to take advantage of the activities here at Xavier, and it's great when students commit to both things fully.”

Iversen is primarily a scout team wide receiver and rover for the Saints on the football field. Like many of the football players, he embraces his role to help prepare his teammates for the upcoming game, while also spending time with his friends.

Similarly, as a senior member of the marching band, he knows the importance of leading by example and helping the younger members to improve. He is proud of his participation in these two extracurricular activities and has taken very valuable lessons away from them.

'I think that it shows that you can be involved in both activities and be equally committed to them,” Iversen said. 'The younger kids watching know that they can be involved in both when they see me marching in my football uniform.”

Iversen plans on going into an ROTC program when he attends college next year.