This article is written by Travis Halm, a member of the Iowa State class of 2012, currently residing in College Station Texas, and a native of Haverhill, Iowa.
“Loyal Sons Forever True,” the line we sang loud and often while cheering on the Cyclones in Hilton Coliseum and Jack Trice Stadium, donning cardinal and gold attire, willing our Cyclones to monumental upsets and magical victories. For many, Iowa State University was a place never mentioned in our household prior to college, and yet it become a place that defined our character and shaped our lives over four (or five) short years in Ames. Luckily for the Cyclones whose adventure has led to the Lone Star State, the memories, pride and love of all things Iowa State can live freely as the Cys of Texas.
Moving to Texas marked a new journey in my life. It followed a short stint in the Kansas City area. My time in KC was highlighted by the 2014 Big 12 Tournament Championship and making frequent pilgrimages up I-35 to see football and basketball games in Ames. The Cyclones were never more than a stone’s throw away from me in Kansas City and I knew a move further south would mark a drastic change in my life.
The evening following a job interview in central Texas, a friend suggested I travel to Dallas for the Iowa State vs Iowa basketball game watch hosted by the DFW Cyclone Club. Being the Iowa Stater that I am, always down for a few beers and watching the Cyclones, I made plans to attend the game watch not knowing what to expect. Little did I know I would meet the folks who’d make Texas a little more like home during college football and basketball weekends. The 90-75 drubbing of Iowa didn’t hurt matters either.
Incredibly dedicated club presidents, board members, alumni and fans make up the three active chapters of the ISU Alumni Association in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. Founded in the early 1980s, the DFW club has grown wildly in popularity and is currently at their highest level of participation and activity. Every year, two football games and four basketball games within the state highlight the calendar for these chapters. These games mark our chance to see the Cyclones in person, party it up with our fellow Cyclones, and provide a home court advantage for our teams deep in the Heart of Texas.
The local clubs host pregame tailgates at all road football games in Texas and Oklahoma. From Lubbock to Austin to Fort Worth to Stillwater and to Waco, Cyclone fans take part in our proudest tradition: tailgating. Prior to all basketball games, Cyclone fans make the trip early to establishments like Crickets in Waco, Scholz Garten in Austin, or Cooper’s in Fort Worth to enjoy good food, drinks and fellowship with hundreds and in the case of the 2014 NCAA Tournament in San Antonio, thousands, of our closest friends. Following some big victories those same Cyclone fans are known to return to those establishments following the win to keep the party going. In particular, Iowa State’s 2015 win in Austin comes to mind.
During the 2015-16 Mens Basketball season, DFW Cyclones Club President Barry Peterson welcomed VIP guests to pregame parties at TCU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. ISU assistant coaches Daniyal Robinson, T.J. Otzelberger and William Small spoke to the fans about the upcoming matchup, team news and thanked them for making the trip. Meeting coaches and players isn’t limited to pregame as many Cyclone fans are known to stick around following games to congratulate players and coaches, win or lose, and collect post game autographs and photos. Even ESPN NBA Analyst Jeff Van Gundy stopped at the ISU pregame event in Waco last February as a guest of an ISU alum from Houston. Word spreads when people have fun.
All other Iowa State Football and Basketball games outside of the Texas/Oklahoma area are enjoyed at Cyclone Gamewatches in Austin, Dallas and Houston. As previously mentioned, these gamewatches are a great opportunity for networking and fellowship amongst fellow Iowa State alumni, fans and friends. Many gamewatches feature contests and drawings, including autographed ISU merchandise and memorabilia, along with other great prizes.
Once football and basketball season draws to a close and hot Texas summers roll in, some of the best work of the Cys of Texas begins. In April, Cyclones across the state take part in Cys Day of Service, providing a variety of charitable deeds for their communities. Every August, the DFW Club holds a Senior Sendoff for Iowa State students about to head to school in Ames where students are welcomed to the Cyclone family and scholarship winners are acknowledged. These scholarships are the product of the generosity of fellow Cyclones in the Lone Star State and beyond. This generosity and service by Iowa Staters has left a positive impression upon their fellow Cyclones and the State of Texas as a whole.
Whether in Texas, Oklahoma, or Iowa, the Cys of Texas encourage you to mark your calendars with future Iowa State events in Texas and to celebrate at other great Big 12 destinations. For more information about chapters within Texas or for upcoming events, visit www.dfwcyclones.org or connect with any of the three chapters on Facebook or www.isualum.org. You never know what next great Cyclone win you’ll be able to witness or what great Cyclone friends and family you will meet. We look forward to seeing Cyclone Nation in Texas during the upcoming football and basketball seasons… and remember folks, the Cys of Texas are upon you.
Football
Iowa State vs TCU
September 17, 2016, 11:00am
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Pregame tailgate: Sunrise until right before kickoff
2925 Gordon Ave
Fort Worth, Texas
Iowa State vs Oklahoma State
October 8, 2016, Gametime TBA
Boone Pickens Stadium
Pregame tailgate: Details TBA depending upon gametime
Iowa State vs Texas
October 15, 2016, Gametime TBA
Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium
Pregame Tailgate: TBA depending upon gametime
William B. Travis Building
University of Texas campus
Austin, Texas
Basketball
Check back with the three Iowa State Alumni Clubs in Texas for more information as the basketball schedule is released.
Game Watches
Austin
Big Daddy’s Burgers & Bar
9070 Research Blvd, Austin, Texas 78758
https://www.facebook.com/isuclubofaustin
Dallas
18918 Midway Rd, Dallas, Texas 75287
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dfwcyclones
Houston
Houston Texans Grille at City Centre
12848 Queensbury Ln, Ste 208, Houston, Texas 77024