CLIVE, Iowa – The program was slightly different but the passion was the same. More than 1,000 Iowa State fans took part in the Meet the Coaches Night presented by the Cyclone Club at the 7 Flags Complex Monday. The voice of Iowa State athletics, WOI-TV sports director John Walters, sat and talked with ISU athletics director Jamie Pollard and several Cyclone head coaches before an attentive audience.
Pollard shared his enthusiasm about the unprecedented achievement of ISU’s student-athletes during the 2008-2009 school year.
“We had five teams finish in the top 20 of their respective NCAA Championships,” Pollard said. “The thanks for that goes to the people in this room and Cyclone fans across this state and the country.”
Pollard emphasized that the past year’s success should be viewed as the foundation for building a program of lasting substance. That begins with academics.
The Hixson-Lied Student Success Center, which includes the Rod and Connie French Athletics Academics Center, is paying dividends that will last Iowa State student-athletes a lifetime.
“I know people follow the wins and losses but our first goal is graduation,” Pollard said.
His message was not lost on the crowd which acknowledged that statement the extended applause.
Two concrete markers for Pollard’s long-term vision are the near completion of the new basketball practice facility and the renovation of the east -side concourse at Jack Trice Stadium.
“A complete program is long lasting and the basketball facility is something that (Iowa State head men’s basketball coach) Greg McDermott and (Iowa State head women’s basketball coach) Bill Fennelly can use to demonstrate our commitment to their programs for the long term,” Pollard said.
Fans will enjoy the new additions at Jack Trice Stadium.
“Jack Trice Stadium was built with 45,000 seats and it wasn’t made to accommodate 55,000 fans,” Pollard said. “People on the west side loved the wider concourses, additional concession stands and restrooms last year and the people on the east side were saying ‘When’s our turn?’ Well, it’s here.”
Pollard reflected on the popular hirings of Paul Rhoads as head football coach and Kevin Jackson as head wrestling coach.
“Kevin Jackson just lit up the room and knocked my socks off in our interview,” Pollard said. “He wanted to come home and help provide the opportunity for success that he experienced as an ISU student-athlete.”
Pollard also reflected on Rhoads’ penchant as a risk-taker, noting that the ISU football head coach owns two Harley-Davidson motorcycles and is currently learning to fly.
“This is not going to be a coach who punts on 4th-and-inches,” Pollard noted.
The evening included appearances by Fennelly, McDermott and head volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. Johnson-Lynch and Fennelly both took their teams to the Elite Eight of their NCAA Tournaments. By the end of the night there was a consensus. Something great is coming.
