A Lesson in Class from Iowa State Basketball Players

The day has finally come.

At 2 p.m. today, the Chicago Bulls are holding a press conference that will officially introduce the Mayor as the next head coach of their franchise. In roughly six hours after the time this article was published, all "will he or won't he?" speculation that built up over the last couple months will be laid to rest, and the Iowa State basketball program will be forced to move on from the five successful years that will be forever defined as the Fred Hoiberg era.

In this sensitive, possibly painful, time of transition, we fans must remember to hold it together. How each person views coach Hoiberg's decision to leave the program is entirely up to each individual. However, for those feeling mostly anger and hatred toward the man who dug Cyclone basketball out of the cellar of the Big 12, take a look at how the players are handling this situation themselves:

Georges Niang

@ISUMayor32 Words can't describe how much you STILL mean to us! pic.twitter.com/xEx78Z4qcY

— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) June 2, 2015

Jameel McKay

It was a honor playing for you @ISUMayor32 now it's time to take the winning culture u built here and take it to whole other level next year

— ShowTime ✨ (@ShowTime_McKay) June 2, 2015

Monte Morris

I'm happy for this guy! What you've done for the university the last 5 years was amazing! Love you pal. pic.twitter.com/oSGPWEZWds

— BigGame (@MonteMorris11) June 2, 2015

Hallice Cooke

Saddened that I won't get the opportunity to play for coach, but grateful for the time I've spent… https://t.co/Bf7IGWVtSv

— Hallice Cooke (@Hallywood_03) June 2, 2015

More similar tweets from the remaining players on the 2015-16 roster will surely be published later today around the time of the Bulls' press conference. WRNL especially awaits the wise words that 3sus has to say regarding his former mentor.

Possibly the most essential part of the resurgence of ISU basketball has been these young men that have thrived under the Mayor's tutelage. Names like Diante Garrett, Royce White, Will Clyburn, Chris Babb, Melvin Ejim, Georges Niang, Monte Morris and Naz Long (to name a few) will forever be remembered as the restorers of Hilton Magic, for their actions both on and off the court.

As seen above, these players -  who have the right to feel most abandoned in the wake of all of this -  are posting beautiful send-off tweets full of gratitude and nostalgia.

Then, there's stuff like this, posted by the nobodies of the internet...

Fred Hoiberg is a douche bag that has no business representing the @chicagobulls. I hope his heart fails before he can coach!!!

— Jordan Walter (@jordanwalter75) June 2, 2015

Of note, this wasn't @jordanwalter75's worst tweet, by far. And the worst one actually tagged Hoiberg's Twitter handle in it too... You can check it out on your own time if you want. I just want to remind Mr. Walter that karma, is indeed, a bitch.

Social media has given sports fans in the 21st century the unique chance to interact with their favorite players, coaches and icons more closely than ever before. It is without a doubt both a blessing and a curse, depending on how it's used. Words can be used for marvelous things, but they can also be used as weapons.

So to Cyclone Nation, and people considering making their strong opinions on the Hoiberg situation public... In this time of sorrow, be a @GeorgesNiang20, not a @jordanwalter75.

EDIT 8:55 a.m.:

Naz Long chimes in.

Thank you. #TheMayor pic.twitter.com/CbuHYOPgOx

— Nazareth Mitrou-Long (@NazzyJLong) June 2, 2015

EDIT 12:42 p.m.:

Matt Thomas thanks coach Hoiberg.

Nothing but respect and love. Excited & happy for you and your family. Thank you for everything, Coach. #TheMayor pic.twitter.com/KLVxhdDVia

— Matthew Thomas (@Theiceman_21) June 2, 2015