Basketball has taken Seth Tuttle, former All-American and current UNI men’s basketball graduate manager, across the globe from Germany and Belgium to the Colosseum in Rome.

“Basketball has taken me all over the world,” Tuttle said.  “It’s been a heck of a ride for sure.  It’s been a journey.”

Tuttle inked himself into UNI Basketball history after scoring 1,747 points to become the fourth all-time leading scorer.  The Sheffield, Iowa native also became the first UNI men’s basketball player to earn Division 1 All-America second team honors.  After his career at UNI, Tuttle had the opportunity to tour the country as he worked out for several NBA teams.

“That was a great experience,” Tuttle said.  “Seeing the locker rooms of Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and high-level players.  To see their locker rooms, and just to know that you’re there on that level, competing on the same court that they compete on every day.  It was a great experience and a lot of fun.  A lot of memories.”

Tuttle’s journey was just getting started as he would take his talents overseas to play in Germany and Belgium from 2015-2018.

“I got to travel all over Europe and see different countries,” Tuttle said.  “Got to go to Paris with my family.  Got to go to Malta with a buddy of mine and hang out there for a weekend on the beach.” 

Having former UNI teammates playing overseas at the same time and building friendships with teammates made the transition of playing on the other side of the world easier.. 

“You keep up with your friends that are going through the same journey with you,” Tuttle said.  “It’s kind of a brotherhood when you’re over there […] you just have your basketball family to help you get by.”

After his playing career, Tuttle returned to Cedar Falls to take a job as a graduate manager for the men’s basketball team.  This summer, the team traveled to play in Italy, and Tuttle got the opportunity to see a historic site that he hadn’t seen in his playing days overseas.

“I had never seen the Colosseum before when I was over there,” Tuttle said.  “So, that was a new experience for me, which was an extremely awesome venue and a very historic place.  It’s hard to explain through words.  You almost have to see it yourself to get a good grasp of how unique that building really was.”

Being back where he started every game for four years reminds Tuttle of his time at UNI, especially his 2014-15 senior season that saw UNI finish 31-4 for a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

“That senior year, obviously, was a special year for our team and my teammates,” Tuttle said.  “That senior year, something clicked, and we got a lot of publicity.  Our team was on ESPN.  Being able to make it to the [NCAA] Tournament.  Finally being able to win the Valley Tournament down in St. Louis.  All those things that made that year super special would probably be my favorite memory.”

Life has come full circle for Tuttle from UNI to Germany, Belgium and back to where it all started.