Reaping the Rewards - Lil Cyclone Club & Tailgate Tour

I have three kids ages 19, 17 and 15 that I've been hauling to Cyclone events (with their friends) since they were in grade school. Besides my own season football tickets, I've always made sure that I purchase extra "Lil Cyclone Club" season tickets so my kids could invite their friends when age appropriate. Through the years.... I bet I've exposed over 100 kids to their first experience of Cyclone athletics and Iowa State University in general because of these cheap tickets. Also, a couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of hauling about 10 junior high boys to Sioux City for one of the "Tailgate Tour" stops. The Cyclone players and coaches left a lifetime impression on the boys.

I've got to tell you.... when compared with the Hawkeyes, there really aren't that many Cyclone fans in NW Iowa. A lot of these kids come from Hawkeye families and have never been exposed to anything "Cyclone" in their lives. In fact.... most came home with their first ISU t-shirt.... ever.

Now for some really good news. I think the "Lil Cyclone Club and the Tailgate Tours" have really started something positive here. I now have a daughter thats a freshman at ISU as well as several of her close friends (all former Hawk fans). Both of my younger children are currently planning on enrolling at ISU as well as a bunch of their friends too. I've even had some of the Hawkeye parents ask me, "how did you convert our children?" The fact of the matter is that I didn't have to convert anyone. The "Lil Cyclone Club and the Tailgate Tours" are such great programs they've sold themselves! Good job out of Pollard and the entire ISU marketing team. Atta' boy Jamie.

Good to hear. Glad you are doing your best to fight the good fight. It does sound like a great program.

THIS would be something worthwhile to email to Pollard...

In case you hadn't already told him in person at one of these events, anyway.

Yes, please do email this to Pollard. Let him know that this is one of his successful programs.

Great thread! The "Lil Cyclone Club" and the "Tailgate Tour" don't get talked about enough on CycloneFanatic. These are key compontents in growing our fan base. I signed my 5-year old up for the "Lil Cyclone Club" this year. She's excited!!! I am fully indoctrinating her in Cyclone culture. I tell my wife that my goal is to make her the Cyclone equivalent of a Hitler Youth. She's already professed her hate for the Iowa Hawkeyes. I teared up when I first heard her say those words. My wife is an Iowa State graduate and fellow Cyclone fan; however, she obviously wasn't as pleased.

Hell my daughter's 2 and has already been taught to say "icky hawkeyes" and "Go Cyclones." Both are more articulate and clear than much of what she says. I've been working hard on it enough that any game on TV she believes must be ISU.
Quick edit:
Usually it is...

WARNING...

Lil' Clone Club turns kids into Fanatics! :wink:

I agree JP would love to hear this and will more than likely tell this story himself to others if you tell him.

I grew up in Marion and was always made fun of for being a die hard Cyclone fan. I have now been dating my girlfriend for 3.5 years...she was a hawkeye when I met her and I am proud to say I quickly converted her (and of late all of her family) to be Cyclone fans. She is now loves this university just as much as I do.