Iowa State Vs. Iowa football - memories

I was there for the first game when the ISU vs. Iowa football series kicked off again in 1977. So many students wanted tickets that you had to enter a lottery to get the privilege to attend. My college roommate Vicki and I hit the jackpot and were able to purchase tickets for something like $8 each. Woohoo! We made plans to stay with my high school buddy Mona Jones who was a frosh at Iowa.

Check out the Iowa banner behind me...

On Game day, Vic and I tailgated with Vicki's folks - they were ISU grads, but they had Iowa tickets for many years with their friends who had an RV. The game didn't go as planned - ISU was the favored team yet Iowa came out on top that day. Mona's dorm was rockin' with all the partiers later that night. Vicki and I decided about 1 a.m. that we weren't going to get any sleep. So we headed back to Ames. All the way Vicki took me through some story - where you had to make choices and those choices told you about yourself. It was cool! And kept me awake.

The girls at the game

The next year we must have all won the lottery. Or ISU received more tickets - because we all attended the game - which again was in Iowa City. Sal, Jane, Vicki, Moose and Steve. I kind of lost though - because I had to drive...after pre-gaming at Cy's Roost. We drew straws. We passed beers between cars on I-80. Crazy college days.

It was a long night for me - staying in the Chi-O house with Christie Jo Deardorff. I got a post drinking migraine - before I knew that's what I had. The game outcome was much better that year and we danced afterward with Vicki's folks and friends at the Airliner.

During the 15 year losing streak, time my parents, who were Iowa grads, invited Paul and me to attend an Iowa game as their guests. We lost something like 60-6. Butt-kicking. Thank you sir may I have another!?!

The losing streak thinned my skin. It's why I don't get into texting Hawk fans and joking about the game as much as others. They had the edge for 15 years. That took away the fun for me - not due to the good Hawk fans that cheer for their team through thick and thin. But we know those who like to jab like they're true blue and are quick to through the team and players under the buss at the first whiff of a rough season.

I'm trying to lighten up - it's been 16 more years after all. And the Cyclones are holding their own in the W/L department since that time. It's time for me to chill.

More Memories:

I was at one of the kid's soccer games when I heard that ISU was leading Iowa in 1998 - and it looked like the good guys might finally win one. The streak would finally be over. I still love watching reruns of that game. JJ Moses. Finally Jud had a reason to be happy to be a Cyclone - born into a losing streak as his birthright. Amy was happy too, but she wasn't into it like Jud.

2002 - Seneca Wallace brings the team back from several touchdowns down, giving Iowa their only loss. That guy was something to watch. I talked to him last year at one of our home games.

2005? Iowa was ranked and heavily favored. Jud and Paul went to the game. I stayed home. ISU won fairly easily. Drew Tate knocked himself out of that game after a pick.

2007 - ISU The Shaggy game - Culbertson, ISU's kicker, knick-named Shaggy, hits enough field goals to win the game. A drunk Iowa chick, smoking a cigarette shrieks at me from a car - calling me an "F'ing old Hag". And I said - "But I'm a winning F'ing old Hag". Love that story!

Iowa fan in a kilt...

Iowa won the next three - until 2011 when, in Ames in a back and forth game, I won the game for us in triple overtime by standing in a lucky spot on the stairs below the concourse. The excitement was heart stopping - over and over as each overtime went by. I high fived strangers. My phone blew up as friends around the country texted after the game. It was awesome and so very fun. My most fun time at an Iowa game.

2012 - watching on TV as Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott saved the game in the closing minutes by tipping and intercepting a pass. The radio feed notes Iowa's color man Ed Podoak stating "this should be a touchdown". Not. Phew! Relief!


There is some talk of ending the series. Logically it may make sense for both teams. ISU could use a cupcake. Why can't we schedule one or three? The Big 10 now has 14 teams in the conference - and scheduling issues. I don't care. This state loves this game. It's good for commerce, workplaces, media and people. I hope it never ends. I'll continue to work on my attitude.

My world shifts a little bit

Whenever something big happens and people let me down, my world shifts a little bit. I don't know Joe Paterno and he doesn't know me, but like many of you through the years I have formed an impression of the guy. Paterno is a crusty guy with an East Coast accent. He has always reminded me of Paul's dad - George Goldsmith - all curmudgeony, but lovable under it all! Obviously intelligent, and I thought, to be admired because of his tenure at an esteemed university and the success of his teams.

Until I heard about what he had allowed his friend, Assistant Coach Sandusky, get away with - sexual assault of minors. A mere wrist slap. Allowed to "retire" from coaching with full access to Penn State's facilities. In my opinion the whole Penn State University organization is guilty. Didn't they see any similarities between themselves and the Catholic Church? Cover up galore.

When I was young, I always thought there was someone above me that was watching out for me. My parents, teachers, coaches, the government. The realities of life suck. Those people, whom we have looked up to are weak. And not just the freakin' (insert swear word) sexual abusers. The people who should be looking out for the vulnerable but don't - the ones who look the other way are just as guilty! They allow the abusers to keep up their evil ways.

They protect the institution. For what? For the greater good? For the short term good name of an institution, they have risked ruining people's lives? Those of us who haven't been sexually abused can never know what these incidents have done to stain the lives of those who have lived through it.

Sex should be a healthy part of our lives. How might a young person move past the idea that shame goes together with sex once abuse has taken place? How can somebody form a healthy sexual relationship and marriage relationship after suffering that type of abuse? Man - it's hard enough to have a good marriage without dealing with issues such as that.

So - I go back to Penn State and the (formerly) great Joe Paterno. How did he live with this all these years? How could he not look at Sandusky and wonder - was he still abusing? Could he have convinced himself that the guy could stop? And how could the grad student turned coach - McQueary, have continued to coach after seeing Sandusky assaulting a young boy in a shower. Why wouldn't McQueary step in and stop it right then? Why wouldn't he call 911? Was he too in awe of an assistant coach? Did the Penn State machine step in and assure him this was being taken care of? Isn't it convenient he ended up an assistant coach himself.

I am far away from this situation - and my world has shifted a bit due to Penn State. Just as it did when all the news of the Catholic Church abuse came to light. I feel for the Penn State Nittany Lion players, students and alumni - their world is shaken much more than mine. If this had happened at Iowa State University, my Alma Mater, my emotions would be in turmoil. I'm saddened.

This world never fails to surprise me. I thank God (or whatever higher power is out there...) there are many beautiful amazing things and people out there to offset the ugly and bad. They help set my world back on its axis.