It is imperative that this fan base understand this...

[ianjbark3r]

If Hali can get the Cers to the NBA Finals, a Cyclone will have LED his team to both a Super Bowl and an NBA title game over the span of three years.

Seriously. Read that again.

Y'all, we are in our golden years.

So why bring this up? Seems like a pretty obvious piece of trivia...

Because, new fans, there was a time when recruits LITERALLY didn't know who we were. I remember reading the athletic department rebrand document that led to our current I STATE logo (reserve that discussion for another thread) and the primary motivation for the change was that recruits DID NOT KNOW WHO WE WERE.

If you're a doomsayer in these forums, I have one, genuine piece of advice: stop and enjoy the ride. When I was a kid, we were nothing. We weren't even a joke because that would mean that people had even freaking heard of us at all.

Do yourself a favor and enjoy the ride. Good programs dream of runs like this, and we built this era on character and grit. There is literally no hyperbole for our success story, and if you refuse to see that, you're going to regret it for a long, long time.

Seacrest out.

 

[kirk89gt]

If you haven’t seen it already, I encourage you to go see the 5:00 Jon Gruden Iowa State social media infomercial video in the respective thread. Man have we come a loooooooonnnnnnnnggg ways.

 

[Chitowncy]

If you haven’t seen it already, I encourage you to go see the 5:00 Jon Gruden Iowa State social media infomercial video in the respective thread. Man have we come a loooooooonnnnnnnnggg ways.

Get that video in front of every football recruit! Heck, basketball too.

Agreed with the OP. Enjoy this wonderful ride!!

 

[Turn2]

When I was a kid, we were nothing. We weren't even a joke because that would mean that people had even freaking heard of us at all.

Poster is...38. But he is correct.

Those of us who endured the 30 years before that take heed.

 

[FerShizzle]

thank jamie. he has spent 2 decades building a culture of hard work and accountability. his coaching hires buy into that and so do their players. these are skills that churn diamonds from the rough more frequently than typical and that transcend to the next level. i can't wait to watch a wave of cyclones move on into the pros over then next decades because of this foundation that has been put in place by pollard.

but it is still absolutely mind blowing what brock and tyrese are doing.

 

[Statefan10]

Grew up in the late 90’s early 2000’s and it’s insane to think about where we are compared to where we were. And I missed some awful years.

I remember as a kid asking my parents why I had to be a Cyclone fan because I’d literally cry after we lost any game haha. Then last year I actually had tears in my eyes during the white out we did for the Baylor game.

 

[Cyhig]

Some of us are old enough to remember football games where ISU was down 42-0 . . . at half

But yes, it is indeed a golden era of cyclone athletics. I'm sure there will be more peaks and some valleys in the future, but the valleys are there to remind ourselves to appreciate the peaks. When arriving at a peak, take a breath, look around, and enjoy it while you can. But even when in a valley, it's not doom and gloom. There are things to appreciate even when down low.

 

[FallOf81]

And Rocco will most likely be a round 1 to 3 draft choice. Has the pedigree and tools. Just needs to fine tune now and reps reps reps.

 

[kirk89gt]

thank jamie. he has spent 2 decades building a culture of hard work and accountability. his coaching hires buy into that and so do their players. these are skills that churn diamonds from the rough more frequently than typical and that transcend to the next level. i can't wait to watch a wave of cyclones move on into the pros over then next decades because of this foundation that has been put in place by pollard.

but it is still absolutely mind blowing what brock and tyrese are doing.

To say that Jamie was built for this is an understatement as he had perhaps the perfect apprenticeship at UW. For those that were old enough to remember, UW athletics were in a similar situation prior to hiring Barry to coach the football team. He was their Matt Campbell. A major difference though is UW is the de facto only game in the state (a la Nebraska), which makes the transformation even more amazing.

 

[MartyFine]

If you haven’t seen it already, I encourage you to go see the 5:00 Jon Gruden Iowa State social media infomercial video in the respective thread. Man have we come a loooooooonnnnnnnnggg ways.

 

[beentherebefore]

For much of the 1970s when I was very young, the football team seemed to be on the cusp, and then Woody Hayes punched that guy. Football was generally poor after that. Basketball had the absolutely stunning for its time Hilton Coliseum, but the teams were not good and the arena was empty. My dad used to let me just run around the balcony level at games because NO ONE WAS SITTING THERE.

College years for me (1984-1988) were generally horrible years for football, but Orr had the basketball team playing exciting and generally winning basketball in front of huge, raucous, intimidating crowds. WBB had smaller crowds than some junior high games.

1990s and 2000s had their ups and downs, but nothing in my fandom memory compares to now--at least in football and basketball.

 

[drmwevr08]

The 'Cers'?
Nah, don't like it.

 

[0u812]

Golden era of Cyclone Athletics. I really would have to give some credit to recent university leadership (Presidents), and obviously Jaime and coaching hires. Without Paul and Matt, and Fred, Steve (the recruits were amazing), and Bill and TJ, these things would also not be happening.

Go Cyclones!

 

[ianjbark3r]

The 'Cers'?
Nah, don't like it.

Fine. The Ma'ams.

 

[psycln11]

To say that Jamie was built for this is an understatement as he had perhaps the perfect apprenticeship at UW. For those that were old enough to remember, UW athletics were in a similar situation prior to hiring Barry to coach the football team. He was their Matt Campbell. A major difference though is UW is the de facto only game in the state (a la Nebraska), which makes the transformation even more amazing.

When you think about it, we're surrounded by "the only game in the state". Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin.... You could say Illinois also unless you count Northwestern since they are in the BIG.

 

[mwwbbfan]

If Hali can get the Cers to the NBA Finals, a Cyclone will have LED his team to both a Super Bowl and an NBA title game over the span of three years.

Seriously. Read that again.

Y'all, we are in our golden years.

So why bring this up? Seems like a pretty obvious piece of trivia...

Because, new fans, there was a time when recruits LITERALLY didn't know who we were. I remember reading the athletic department rebrand document that led to our current I STATE logo (reserve that discussion for another thread) and the primary motivation for the change was that recruits DID NOT KNOW WHO WE WERE.

If you're a doomsayer in these forums, I have one, genuine piece of advice: stop and enjoy the ride. When I was a kid, we were nothing. We weren't even a joke because that would mean that people had even freaking heard of us at all.

Do yourself a favor and enjoy the ride. Good programs dream of runs like this, and we built this era on character and grit. There is literally no hyperbole for our success story, and if you refuse to see that, you're going to regret it for a long, long time.

Seacrest out.

Throw in Bridget Carleton playing a big role in the Minnesota Lynx winning the Commissioner's Cup and making the WNBA Finals last year.

 

[kevdiv48]

When you think about it, we're surrounded by "the only game in the state". Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin.... You could say Illinois also unless you count Northwestern since they are in the BIG.

more like Notre Dame, but your point stands.

 

[SouthJerseyCy]

OK, so I don't disagree with anything you said, but...

I watched the last two games (don't watch much NBA) and I don't think I could tell you where any of them went to college outside of Hali and Brunson. With transfer portal and players declaring early, they are not as attached to their college as they once were, especially in the NBA, but also NFL to a lesser extent.

That's taking nothing away from their accomplishments, but I don't think it has the effect of 'putting us on the map' like it would have years ago. Unfortunately, those are bygone days.

 

[State2015]

OK, so I don't disagree with anything you said, but...

I watched the last two games (don't watch much NBA) and I don't think I could tell you where any of them went to college outside of Hali and Brunson. With transfer portal and players declaring early, they are not as attached to their college as they once were, especially in the NBA, but also NFL to a lesser extent.

That's taking nothing away from their accomplishments, but I don't think it has the effect of 'putting us on the map' like it would have years ago. Unfortunately, those are bygone days.

I see what you mean. Tyrese is a guy that strongly reps ISU tho. A lot of nba guys don’t have any connection or loyalty to their schools (and that’s fine) but Tyrese and Brock love ISU

 

[HFCS]

OK, so I don't disagree with anything you said, but...

I watched the last two games (don't watch much NBA) and I don't think I could tell you where any of them went to college outside of Hali and Brunson. With transfer portal and players declaring early, they are not as attached to their college as they once were, especially in the NBA, but also NFL to a lesser extent.

That's taking nothing away from their accomplishments, but I don't think it has the effect of 'putting us on the map' like it would have years ago. Unfortunately, those are bygone days.

You didn’t know Nembhard played at Gonzaga? Obi Toppin was National Player of the year at Dayton (the year Hawkeyes cried 0 mpg Garza lost it to him). Turner played against us at Texas.

I’d agree it’s more of an “effect” of ISU having success than a “cause” of future success.