Griz and Lady Griz Return from Turkey Trip

Brian Qvale, who spent the last several months playing professional basketball in Turkey, took a big step in his personal life Friday, June 15th, he married  former Lady Griz player Misty Atkinson at the Heritage Hall located in Fort Missoula.

It was a life-long dream to make it to the professional level of basketball. He played for Aliaga Petkim in the 16-team Turkish Basketball League. Brian arrived in Aliaga in early August, and the season ended on May 12. He and Misty ended up staying in two different hotels for several weeks at a time, and then, somewhat ironically when the other center (Arnold Marcus, who played college hoops at Illinois) on the team got cut, then his apartment which was provided to him by the team became available, and the pair got to move in to that apartment and finally was able to stop living out of their suitcases.

Misty, who was a double major at UM and earned degrees in psychology and sociology, works for Youth Homes in Missoula. Brian earned his degree in exercise science.

During their stint in Europe, Brian and Misty adopted a dog, "Turkey" or Turk for short, from a local animal shelter, and no matter what is in store for the new married couple and BQ's professional career their future, they do have a special reminder about their time in Aliaga.

"Turk - it was an experience getting him back," Qvale said with a smile on his face. "We found him in a little shelter in Turkey with a dirt floor, which was an old American NATO base or something. We got him, and he's still here. He flew all the way back to Montana, and he's in my backyard right now. He made it home, and the flight was long."

From Williston & Clarkston, to Missoula, to Turkey, and now living in near-by Lolo, although that might not be too long of a stay right now. Who knows what's in store for Brian, Misty, and Turk in their future - but it sure is good to have them back in Big Sky Country, if only for awhile