Question about our ex-athletes

[dundermifflin]

Do our ex-athletes become big fans / supporters of Iowa State after they leave? I notice on EIU boards that they have a lot of feedback / articles from ex-players so they seem to put themselves in the public eye. I am sure out players turn into just as big of fans but wanted to hear some first hand examples.

 

[josier]

I have a buddy who walked on at ISU and was on the team for all five years, got a scholarship his last season, and only played for 3 or 4 plays against Kansas. He's a huge ISU fan and booster. My guess is that's the exception instead of the rule. But look at guys like Ben Bruns who have stayed very active.

 

[IcSyU]

Do our ex-athletes become big fans / supporters of Iowa State after they leave? I notice on EIU boards that they have a lot of feedback / articles from ex-players so they seem to put themselves in the public eye. I am sure out players turn into just as big of fans but wanted to hear some first hand examples.

Are you sure these aren't fraudulent? Look who we are talking about here...

 

[Angie]

Are you sure these aren't fraudulent? Look who we are talking about here...

Well, there IS a lot of free time in prison. :mask:

 

[drlove]

A couple thoughts:
1. Until recently, the Athletic Department did a poor job of reaching out to former athletes. This is changing for the better.
2. It depends a little on where the athlete is from originally. I know former athletes from Iowa that are big supporters. The former athletes that weren't from Iowa don't get as entangled if they move out of state after school.
3. Many former athletes stay very connected to their former teammates. There is a group of Cyclone athletes in Colorado that still hang out together after close to 20 years.

 

[isuforlife]

Well, there IS a lot of free time in prison. :mask:

Good one Angie, you are the bomb!!:notworthy:

 

[isucyfan]

Well, there IS a lot of free time in prison. :mask:

ZING!!!!

 

[isufbcurt]

Some of us have been a little put off by the athletic department leader.

 

[dundermifflin]

I was wondering if some recent ex-athletes dis-liked Pollard.

 

[drlove]

Hey isufbcurt, are you referring to past or present leadership, or both? If present, how much of it has to do with the Coaching change?

 

[isufbcurt]

Hey isufbcurt, are you referring to past or present leadership, or both? If present, how much of it has to do with the Coaching change?

BVD = moron

Present is 100% to do with the coaching change. Good example was how few people from recent classes showed up at the letterwinners dinner this past fall and I know there are still a lot in the area cause recently I have been randomly running into some that I didn't expect to be here.

 

[kingcy]

Some of us have been a little put off by the athletic department leader.

Why do you say that??

 

[kingcy]

BVD = moron

Present is 100% to do with the coaching change. Good example was how few people from recent classes showed up at the letterwinners dinner this past fall and I know there are still a lot in the area cause recently I have been randomly running into some that I didn't expect to be here.

Sorry missed this. I know Mac was well liked by his players. I just hope they come back to being a part of the ISU family. Change is hard, but I would think they want to see ISU do good on the FB field. Former basketball players seems to be supporters of ISU.

 

[bmuff]

One thing you can say about the coaching change...12 years is a long time for ANY coach to be in one place. And I wouldn't blame Pollard all that much for making the change, it is the FANS that wanted it. If the fans supported Mac and bought tickets at record levels every season, he would have never been fired. IMO Mac's program had become stagnant. And with a facilities plan to put together, that is the last thing an AD needs.

As for former players supporting ISU, I know that a lot of the former in-state players (Danielsen, Whitver, etc) are out in the tailgate lots with the rest of us average fans.

 

[JPOP]

We have to ask the ex-players if they really thought the football program was going in the right direction under coach mac the last few years. If they are true fans they would want the program to reach the next level. I loved coach mac also but it was time for a change!

 

[drlove]

Suggestion for former athletes.....

that are disenfranchised with the AD, coaching change, or other factor. Try to look at the big picture. If you had a good experience at ISU then, take the good with the bad and embrace the school and the current student athletes. ISU will make a lot of decisions that we will agree with and probably as many that we don't like. This will go on until the end of time.

Why do I mention this? Well, my program was cut by ISU, and many of my teammates won't go back to ISU as a result and are very bitter about it. These same individuals swear that Iowa State was the best 4+ years of their lives. They met their wives there and generated life long friends there, but they are determined to be miserable.

This isn't directed at any particular poster/athlete.

 

[bmuff]

Re: Suggestion for former athletes.....

that are disenfranchised with the AD, coaching change, or other factor. Try to look at the big picture. If you had a good experience at ISU then, take the good with the bad and embrace the school and the current student athletes. ISU will make a lot of decisions that we will agree with and probably as many that we don't like. This will go on until the end of time.

Why do I mention this? Well, my program was cut by ISU, and many of my teammates won't go back to ISU as a result and are very bitter about it. These same individuals swear that Iowa State was the best 4+ years of their lives. They met their wives there and generated life long friends there, but they are determined to be miserable.

This isn't directed at any particular poster/athlete.

I think that the solution for them is not to just sit around being pissed. Do something about it. Start a club to raise money to bring back the program. Yeah, it might be a drop in the bucket, but I'm sure others are interested in joining the cause.

At the very least, buy FB/BB tickets. The more the AD makes, the closer ISU is to bringing back some of those sports that were cut. It sucks that they hold it against ISU...they had to make a tough choice and it had to be done.

 

[Wesley]

Have to mention Nebraska. Callahan tried to diminish past players returning and was fairly successful. TO/The Pelini took back over and many of their ex players are back helping out. Coach changes make a big difference. A smart coach will always embrace past players no matter what. Callahan was not too smart as a people person - he was more egotisical. That is why the Jets hired him.

 

[drlove]

Unfortunately, the approval of the Rec Center Renovations all but killed the revival of Men's swimming in the next 20 years on account of a non-competition pool not being included.

The former athletes I know won't give money if they don't feel a connection. Right now they don't. I'm just hopeful that they go back for Homecoming or something and then build upon that to the point where they might start giving.

 

[Phaedrus]

You know, I'm not a McCarney, or McDermott, or Chizik Fan. I'm an Iowa State fan. Couldn't care less, in the long term, who occupies what position in what building.

I want our school to have successful programs, run honestly, but I'm committed to getting into a position where I can make a financial impact with the University.