Ben McCollum’s Journey from NIACC to the Big Ten
Ben McCollum ‘2001 has always been in motion. As a student-athlete at NIACC from 1999-2001, Coach Steve Krafcisin remembers him constantly attacking the basket.
Years later, while McCollum was coaching at Drake, Krafcisin spotted him jogging outside before a game.
“All coaches are a little quirky,” Krafcisin laughed. “Ben’s way was running.” That energy defines him still. Even now, as the new head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, McCollum prefers to talk while running through Iowa City.
“I think best on runs.”
From NIACC to the National Stage
After NIACC, McCollum transferred to Northwest Missouri State, where he helped the Bearcats reach the Division II Elite Eight. He returned years later as head coach and built a dynasty:
- 4 NCAA Division II national championships (2017, 2019, 2021,2022)
- 5 National Coach of the Year awards (the most in Division II history)
- 395–91 record over 15 seasons
In 2024, he took over at Drake. His Bulldogs went 31-4, swept the MVC titles, and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He was named Missouri Valley Coach of the Year.
Then Iowa called.
Lessons from NIACC
At NIACC, McCollum scored 692 career points, hit 115 three-pointers, and earned two all-region honors. But he says the experience went far beyond basketball.
“At a community college, you learn how to interact with everyone. I learned a lot from that experience.”
It’s also where he began forming his coaching philosophy: “Just try to be great each day. Get a little better today, tomorrow, and the next day. “The results will take care of themselves.”
Coaching in the Big Ten
At Iowa, McCollum emphasizes two constants: effort and toughness. “You can’t just be tough – it’s like a muscle. You have to work on it every day.”
His goals aren’t built on win totals, but on daily improvement. The results, he insists, will follow.
Coming Full Circle
From Storm Lake to NIACC to Carver- Hawkeye Arena, McCollum’s journey has been improbable and inspiring. “When you say it out loud, it’s a pretty wild progression. But my family always believed in me. That belief carried me through.”
Coach Krafcisin couldn’t be prouder.
“To be at Iowa – it’s hard to believe. I tell people all the time, ‘That Ben McCollum played for me at NIACC.’ It’s pretty neat.”
Advice for Today’s Trojans
As NIACC student-athletes start another season, McCollum’s advice is simple: “Find opportunities to give to the place you’re at. My intent was always to make a place better. If you keep that first, you’ll find joy.”
And yes – the tie tradition remains. At Drake, it was blue. At Iowa, it will be gold.
