Tailgating thoughts

It's been an emotional week. A friend, Len Klein, father of ISU Cyclone great AJ Klein, passed away. Len had been battling a rare cancer for the past two years. He was 55 years old. We met Len and wife Jean, plus many other family members during AJ's years playing at ISU. They tailgated in section D2 with the McKim group and the Kevin and Kari Ehrecke. The Kleins are a fun-loving close-knit family. We are thinking of them during this time. Prayers to you all.



At the ISU spring football game, AJ was invited back to be an honorary captain. It was so fun that Jean and Len decided to attend, staying with Kevin and Kari in their Ames home. It was a gorgeous April day in Iowa. We ended up tailgating late into the afternoon with the group - McKims, Ehreckes, Kleins and AJ stopped by with some other former Cyclones. AJ told us a few things about life in the NFL. He plays linebacker for the Carolina Panthers. Len was feeling pretty good then and it was a grand time. We laughed until my ribs hurt!



This Saturday was another early game for the Cyclones. They played ranked Big 12 foe Baylor in a tough game. ISU lead until the 4th quarter but most fans recognized the Charlie Brown script where the victory (ball) is whipped away at the last second. My logical side knows that we are simply looking for improvement from this team and we certainly are seeing that. Young players are making plays all over the field. My fan side says "Just Win" dammit!



Once again we kicked butt in tailgating. ISU does have that down to an art. Yesterday was "Good Beer Bad Beer day" with our tailgating neighbors Bobbie and Bill. They brought a horse tank and everyone was to put in their beer. The tank was covered with a sheet and you had to pick your poison - caution to the wind and all that.

I stuck with my own good/back mix right from our own cooler (I know, snooty) PBR (thanks Dave Bullock for raising right) with tiny Miller High Life for the good stuff. We took breakfast pizza from Casey's for early and grilled after. Steve in the next camper served us marinated pork shanks that were awesome! Bobbie and Bill's little guys Max (3) and Hank (1.75) were about - providing entertainment. Max got dipped into the horse tank as he demanded.

We enjoyed seeing several Crestonites at our tailgate - former neighbors the Hartsocks. Sam is a sophomore at ISU, transferring from SWCC this year. His dad Tommy switched his usual Nebraska garb for ISU colors - nice to see. A Cyclone recruit, Trevor Downing (aka Farm Strong) was their with his folks and the Van Gelder family. It's always fun seeing the Conovers also former Creston neighbors. Jane and Susan (with husband Denny) Flack stopped by briefly, and some of Paul's work pals dropped by. It's like a neighborhood party in D2!



Near the end of the evening we had a special moment - lifting one to our friends Len and Jean. Len would have liked that. He spent a lot of time in this little section of the world. RIP Len.

 Iowa State University has been getting some bad press in the Des Moines Register of late - and rightfully so. The university president, Steven Leath, seems to be treating the university and the state as his own "good 'ol boys club". I don't like that. I think he has the wrong impression of what it's like to be the president at my school. He's not that special. We don't have kings in Iowa.



I'm afraid I got spoiled by our longtime President Geoffrey. He was humble and one of us. He was not looking for free stuff and figuring out how to work the system.



In my opinion Dr. Leath still just doesn't get it. Though he has apologized, I think he's mostly upset that this has come to light. He believes he can pay for the damage to the plane and quit flying it - and this issue will go away. Not true. Now we all know his true colors. I think he needs a "sniffer" - a person or group of people to be his conscience or ethics guidance. He is paid a large salary and other perks. He is not special or a rock star. Just ask Troy Davis - all time football great who Ames police arrested this weekend for public intox when he was in town to accept an award. This isn't a place where people look away. It's been a bad week for my beloved school - but it's about more than just a few people. Those tailgaters yesterday proved that. We are the university. Fellowship through good times and bad.