Mt. Rushmore of ISU Athletics

[Cyched]

I know this has been discussed before on here; CW and Blum did an excellent Summer Series on this a few years ago, but given the current sports desert we're in, I thought it'd be a fun topic to resurrect.

My 4:

Dan McCarney: Resurrected ISU football and made us competitive agian. Returned to bowl games. Turned around the series with Iowa. Laid a foundation that made things easier for the coaches after him.

Johnny Orr: Similar to McCarney, turned around a dead program, took us back to the NCAAs, started a pattern of recruiting great players who would go on to the NBA. Started Hilton Magic, which ISU basketball is known for nationally. Like Dan, laid a foundation that made things easier for the coaches who followed.

Fred Hoiberg: Grew up in Ames, arguably the most popular player in ISU basketball history, came back as coach and turned around a dormant program, brought ISU hoops back into the national spotlight and recruited some beloved all time great Cyclones. Arguably the most consistent ISU basketball coach.

Bill Fennelly: Took over a program that had zero fan support, and made it a consistent NCAA participant, and built fan support that is equaled at very few other women's hoops programs around the country.

Had Troy Davis won the Heisman, he would have easily been my #4. I do remember Chris had Cael as his #4 and made a good argument for him.

Curious to see who else the rest of you guys have.

 

[bsaltyman]

Chizik, Wayne Morgan, McDermott, Van de Velde.

Ok honestly I’d go with Hoiberg, Cael Sanderson, Troy Davis, and Johnny Orr.

 

[JM4CY]

You might as well put Brock’s mug up on the mountain. You know damn well it will need to be when it’s said and done.

 

[bsaltyman]

Basketball players only: Grayer, Hoiberg, Niang, Fizer

Coaches/ADs only: Orr, Fennelly, Pollard, McCarney.

Football players only: Troy, Seneca, Lazard, Purdy??

 

[matclone]

Dan Gable.

 

[JM4CY]

Chizik, Wayne Morgan, McDermott, Van de Velde.

Ok honestly I’d go with Hoiberg, Cael Sanderson, Troy Davis, and Johnny Orr.

I get Cael and wouldn’t rail against it but when it comes to these things I just can’t put him up there.

 

[Macloney]

Chizik, Wayne Morgan, McDermott, Van de Velde.

Ok honestly I’d go with Hoiberg, Cael Sanderson, Troy Davis, and Johnny Orr.

Whar Walden?

 

[jmb]

I know this has been discussed before on here; CW and Blum did an excellent Summer Series on this a few years ago, but given the current sports desert we're in, I thought it'd be a fun topic to resurrect.

My 4:

Dan McCarney: Resurrected ISU football and made us competitive agian. Returned to bowl games. Turned around the series with Iowa. Laid a foundation that made things easier for the coaches after him.

Johnny Orr: Similar to McCarney, turned around a dead program, took us back to the NCAAs, started a pattern of recruiting great players who would go on to the NBA. Started Hilton Magic, which ISU basketball is known for nationally. Like Dan, laid a foundation that made things easier for the coaches who followed.

Fred Hoiberg: Grew up in Ames, arguably the most popular player in ISU basketball history, came back as coach and turned around a dormant program, brought ISU hoops back into the national spotlight and recruited some beloved all time great Cyclones. Arguably the most consistent ISU basketball coach.

Bill Fennelly: Took over a program that had zero fan support, and made it a consistent NCAA participant, and built fan support that is equaled at very few other women's hoops programs around the country.

Had Troy Davis won the Heisman, he would have easily been my #4. I do remember Chris had Cael as his #4 and made a good argument for him.

Curious to see who else the rest of you guys have.

I genuinely feel like dr. Geoffrey was one of the best. Not sure if he gets a spot on the mountain...but he is up there.

 

[CySmurf]

Dan Gable.

Leaving to become the Hawkeyes wrestling coach is a deal breaker for me. Sand blast him off there.

 

[CTTB78]

......
Ok honestly I’d go with Hoiberg, Cael Sanderson, Troy Davis, and Johnny Orr.

Hard to argue with this list.

 

[CySmurf]

Leaving to become the Hawkeyes wrestling coach is a deal breaker for me. Sand blast him off there.

And I'll also add, to be consistent with this, Fred now being at Nebraska (yuck) is seriously making me not picking Fred to be up there either. Pete Taylor for a media vote to be on there. Loved Pete! RIP

 

[cyclones500]

If we're including coaches/A.D.s, Clyde Williams obviously.

 

[CySmurf]

Strictly for athletes...
Cael, Brock, Fizer, Tinsley

 

[bsaltyman]

I get Cael and wouldn’t rail against it but when it comes to these things I just can’t put him up there.

I can’t keep him out when he was a perfect 159-0 for his career. Wasn’t he the first college athlete ever on the Wheaties box? Greatest college wrestler ever.

 

[Gonzo]

No love for Jack Trice?

 

[cycloneML]

Whar Walden?

Criner?

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

Trice
Orr
Niang
Davis

Fred had a spot but he gave it away.
Looking like Campbell will be on there eventually

 

[KnappShack]

Pete Taylor needs to be on there

No doubt about it.

 

[JM4CY]

I can’t keep him out when he was a perfect 159-0 for his career. Wasn’t he the first college athlete ever on the Wheaties box? Greatest college wrestler ever.

Yep great wrestler. Not discrediting that. But part of your cred as a “Great Cyclone” diminishes significantly when you leave like that.

 

[clonedude]

No love for Jack Trice?

That's a good mention. He'd definitely by right up there in the running.