We’re Cyclone Fanatic. Built different, built local and built to show up.
That’s how we cover the Iowa State Cyclones, and that’s how we’ve done it from the start.
This all started as a message board in the early 2000s. It was a place where fans could talk, vent and celebrate together. In 2009, Ankeny businessman Jason Loutsch purchased the site from founder Jeremy Lind. He teamed up with close friends Matt and Brian Lazear and later brought on Clarinda native Chris Williams as publisher. That group had one goal: build something that could cover the Cyclones better than anyone else.
This isn’t coverage for clicks. It’s coverage for the die-hards. The Fanatics.
The kind of work that comes from knowing what matters, calling it like it is and showing up whether it’s a big win, a tough loss or just a random Tuesday in the offseason.
We’re independently operated and not affiliated with Iowa State University. Cyclone Fanatic is powered by local advertising and supported by a community that values coverage rooted in credibility, accessibility and a deep understanding of the Cyclone landscape.
No outside investors. No corporate influence. Just a small team working every day to give Cyclone fans a trusted home for coverage. Over time, Cyclone Fanatic has grown into a full-scale media brand. And we’re still growing. In the words of Chris Williams: “Evolve or die.”
Today, we produce content across every major platform. Coverage includes podcasts, feature stories, analysis, social content, live shows, photography, video and more. Whether it’s breaking news, a big win or a behind-the-scenes story, if it matters to Iowa State fans, it matters to us.
All of our content has been 100 percent free for 20 years. No paywalls. Just open access to quality coverage for the people who show up every season.
Cyclone Fanatic will always be committed to being the go-to source for Iowa State fans.
Our mission is to provide smart, independent and accessible coverage of Iowa State athletics through content that informs, connects and delivers for the Fanatics.
It’s Cyclones vs. The World. Thanks for being here. Enjoy the ride!
Our Team
Chris Williams, Publisher
Chris Williams has spent more than 20 years in the sports media landscape. Since 2009, he has served as Publisher of Cyclone Fanatic, growing it into a leading independent outlet dedicated to free Iowa State coverage. He is also the Founder of Iowa Everywhere and 712 Media. A proud Clarinda native and 2007 graduate of Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism, Chris is also the longtime host of Cyclone football’s postgame show on the Cyclone Radio Network. Away from work, he enjoys motorsports, country music, camping, and being a weekend pitmaster — but most of all, spending time with his wife Ashley, their daughters Camryn and Elyse, and their dog Diffie.
Jacqueline Cordova, Chief Brand Officer
Jacqueline joined Cyclone Fanatic in 2017 as an intern covering Iowa State Wrestling and has since grown into the role of Chief Brand Officer, leading social media, photography, and brand strategy. She remains the Iowa State Wrestling beat writer — a role that earned her the nickname “the wrestling chick”. She also hosts Reaction Time, Cyclone Fanatic’s wrestling podcast with Ben Visser, as well as InCYde Zone, football podcast alongside former Cyclone football greats Colin Newell, Jirehl Brock, and Jake Remsburg. A graduate of Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism, Jacqueline also interned with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2017–18 season, including Super Bowl LII. When she’s not behind the camera or in the middle of the Cyclone Fanatic chaos, she enjoys reading, patio drinks and watching sports with her close circle of friends, obsessing over Formula One driver Carlos Sainz, and consuming plenty of reality TV.
Rob Gray – Senior Staff Writer
Rob, an Ames native, has spent the entire 21st century (so far) covering sports in central Iowa. He currently serves as Cyclone Fanatic’s senior writer — and also covers the Cyclones for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Rob joined the team in August 2014 and his hobbies include gardening, traveling and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. He lives in Ankeny with his wife, Lisa; daughter, Stephanie (who is attending ISU); son, Derek; and way too many pets.
Jake Brend, Chief Content Producer
Jake joined the team in the summer of 2025 after three years as a sports reporter and anchor at WOI-TV in Des Moines. Prior to his time at Local 5, Jake interned at WHO-TV and graduated from Simpson College in 2023. In addition to his work covering the Cyclones, Jake also hosts the Bigger Than 12 Podcast on Iowa Everywhere with Derek Duke. A lifelong Cyclone fan, Jake grew up running around the tailgating lots at Jack Trice Stadium and double fisting Clone Cones at Hilton Coliseum. A proud Iowan from Indianola, Jake can be seen around the state at the golf course, watching the Cubs at a dive bar, or running around Grey’s Lake.
Aiden Wyatt, Chief Podcast Officer
Aiden is a 2023 graduate of Iowa State University. He spent time on the production staff with Cyclones.TV before starting with Cyclone Fanatic and Iowa Everywhere in the winter of 2022, and going full-time as Chief Podcast Officer in January of 2024. He grew up attending Iowa State football games every Saturday with his family, embedding him as a Cyclone for life. Aiden is originally from Reinbeck, Iowa, but now resides in Ankeny with his girlfriend, Ainsley, and their dog, Betty.
Jackson Pence, Staff Writer
Jackson graduated from Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism in the Spring of 2025. He joined the staff as an intern in the fall of 2023 as a basketball writer. Jackson now works in Communications at Musco Sports Lighting in Oskaloosa, Iowa and does radio for Iowa High School Football games in the fall for his hometown radio station, Thunder Country KIIC. He lives in Albia with his fiancée Allie. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports of all kinds but most specifically college basketball. He also enjoys cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and watching comedy movies and shows.
Brent Blum, Cyclone Fanatic Podcast Network
Brent has been part of Cyclone Fanatic since the beginning, bringing perspective and personality as a columnist and contributor. Member for the popular Cyclone Fanatic podcast Williams & Blum published every Wednesday and Sunday. A 2007 graduate of Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism, Brent has worked in sports media and athletics revenue generation for more than two decades. At home he and his wife, Krystal, stay busy raising their two boys, Everett and Theodore.
Jeff Woody, Football Analyst
Jeff was a running back for the ‘Clones from 2009-2013 and now calls Big 12 games for ESPN, hosts CyHawk Gameday on WOI-TV 5 in Des Moines, and contributes to the Cyclone Fanatic Podcast Network and football analysis. He’s most known for the Oklahoma State double overtime game-winner in 2011, but was a four-year starter and team captain in 2013. A walk-on from Southeast Polk in Pleasant Hill to start his Iowa State career, Jeff earned a scholarship and parlayed that into an undergraduate and Master’s from ISU. He lives in Des Moines with his wife, Erin, daughter, Nell, two dogs, and will be welcoming his second child to the world in October.