No kidding. It was an amazing era, and I feel lucky to have been on campus for it all. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Regardless, kudos to you for having perspective, as it was something I lacked, many times, while in the moment.
My first year at Iowa State was 96-97. Entered the real world in 2002. I felt very, very bad for the bucks who there after I left. Think of what happened during that stretch:
- ended the streak against Iowa (won many more than we lost to those bags)
- Jacy, Dedric, Kenny, Shawn, Kelvin
- Rotation seating at Hilton (no CAC)
- Big 8 Tournament Champions
- Sweet 16
- Fennelly
- 9 win FB season
- Bowl games
- Seneca
- Larry
- 1st (and only) McDonald's All-American
- Fizer, Nurse, Stevie, Tinsley, Horton
- Big 12 Conference Champions
- Big 12 Tournament Champions
- Destruction of UCLA (pay back for 97)
- Elite 8
- "It's just another gym"
- Sullivan
- Big 12 Conference Champions
I graduate...and the bottom falls out.
Indeed...you gotta cherish it.