Blog on ISU fandom

[Ry4Cy]

I think Al's right with how that was meant to be interpreted. If she would have just wrote "if" instead of "that" in the last sentence it would have been a lot clearer. You don't have to attend the university to be a true Cyclone, but it probably is the most obvious way to form that kind of deep emotional bond.

Another comment she made....

In the hierarchy of collegiate athletic love, a “fan” is automatically less reputable.


I wonder if she cried when Woody crossed the goal line on November 18, 2011

[isukendall]

I wonder if she cried when Woody crossed the goal line on November 18, 2011

Actually, she did, FWIW. Did you?

I don't think she intended to specifically offend anyone (except Hawkeye fans, maybe). I'm sure she wishes all ISU fans had the experiences and connections with ISU that she had. I'm sure she'd welcome any new ISU fans, as long as they are knowledgeable decent people who are not the antithesis of bandwagoner Tavern Hawks.

[Ry4Cy]

Actually, she did, FWIW. Did you?

I don't think she intended to specifically offend anyone (except Hawkeye fans, maybe). I'm sure she wishes all ISU fans had the experiences and connections with ISU that she had. I'm sure she'd welcome any new ISU fans, as long as they are knowledgeable decent people who are not the antithesis of bandwagoner Tavern Hawks.

I did. And maybe she didn't intend for it but she says that she thinks Alumni are better then "fans"...and I take offense to that because that is not always the case!!!!

[clone2011]

I agree with those saying just because you graduated from ISU doesn't make you a better, more emotionally attached fan. I am an alum of ISU and proud of it.

Is my dad -- converted from being a Hawk, albeit just a "fan" of the Hawks -- any less of a Cyclone fan just because he didn't attend ISU? A 6-year football season ticket holder and NCC member, makes it to one road game a yeard, proudly displays an ISU flag, attends VEISHEA, brings indifferent people to games and then brings them back again because they're hooked...I could go on and on. I know plenty of people who give more to NCC, attend more games, and know more about the current teams than some former students I know.

If I wanted to take this a step farther, I could say that alumni and non-alumni are "fans" but those who were student-athletes are the "true" Cyclones. They shed blood, sweat, and tears for several years, with a total of probably 6-8 truly "off" weeks per year with no sanctioned workouts, practices, film study, games, etc. Clearly they have a different, stronger emotional connection to the players who have stepped into their shoes whether on the practice squad or in the starting line-up.

But that would be ridiculous IMO. Athletes, students, alumni, non-alumni. All who support ISU are Cyclones.

[Vicarious]

Discaimer: I attended school out of state and am fiercely loyal to my alma matter but am an ISU "fan" in the making.

I thought she sounded a lot like an Iowa grad. What she really said was that the only real college experience is the ISU experience and nothing else compares. That is how Hawks talk all the time - I've been listening to it for 25 years, believe me.

The truth is that a school does not define an individual or her loyalties or her enthusiasm. The author is probably proud of the diverse backgrounds of her friends from school but is quick to dismiss the underqualified melting pot of supporters that make up the rest of the Cyclone Nation. She needs to think more Clones, less Borg.

[rebecacy]

Discaimer: I attended school out of state and am fiercely loyal to my alma matter but am an ISU "fan" in the making.

I thought she sounded a lot like an Iowa grad. What she really said was that the only real college experience is the ISU experience and nothing else compares. That is how Hawks talk all the time - I've been listening to it for 25 years, believe me.

The truth is that a school does not define an individual or her loyalties or her enthusiasm. The author is probably proud of the diverse backgrounds of her friends from school but is quick to dismiss the underqualified melting pot of supporters that make up the rest of the Cyclone Nation. She needs to think more Clones, less Borg.

no, you missed it ........ she nailed it!!! There is something very special about being an ISU alum and you cannot understand.

[LostinIowaCity]

I'm going to agree with a lot of what people have said. I was born and raised in Ames, but didn't end up going to Iowa State. I feel comfortable saying that doesn't relegate me to being "just a fan." People who didn't graduate from Iowa State, but cheer on the Cyclones are hardly bandwagon jumpers. Seriously - Iowa State would hardly be the school to choose for bandwagon-jumping. My wife is an alumna of Iowa State, but will only sit down and watch a game if I'm watching it. She's more of a Cyclone than I am???

Do people who graduated from Iowa State feel a special connection to the school and its teams? Undoubtedly - it would be ridiculous to argue otherwise. However, graduating from a school hardly makes someone "All-In" for the athletic teams or for the school as a whole.

[3TrueFans]

no, you missed it ........ she nailed it!!! There is something very special about being an ISU alum and you cannot understand.

Nobody is discounting the fact that the college experience is an important one, but to say that it automatically makes you a better fan than someone who didn't attend is just not true.

[rebecacy]

Nobody is discounting the fact that the college experience is an important one, but to say that it automatically makes you a better fan than someone who didn't attend is just not true.

I agree but graduating gives you a very special choice that only graduates get to make.

[3TrueFans]

I agree but graduating gives you a very special choice that only graduates get to make.

What choice is that?

[rebecacy]

What choice is that?

See!!!! You cannot understand ---- like I said above. Class of '75 '78 and '81!!!!!!!!!!

[clone2011]

See!!!! You cannot understand ---- like I said above. Class of '75 '78 and '81!!!!!!!!!!

To be fair, I don't know what "choice" you're referring to, and I'm an alum as well

[3TrueFans]

See!!!! You cannot understand ---- like I said above. Class of '75 '78 and '81!!!!!!!!!!

I graduated from ISU too, thank you. That doesn't mean I have the foggiest idea of what you're talking about though.

[rebecacy]

Truly Being A CYCLONE as defined in the well written blog

[NATEizKING]

See!!!! You cannot understand ---- like I said above. Class of '75 '78 and '81!!!!!!!!!!

You are always off base.