Iowa State Cyclones' March Madness success has this transplanted Iowan dancing
On Saturday morning before the Iowa State men’s basketball team took on Washington State, I told my husband I was feeling anxious. “Why?” he asked. “You can’t control this. You aren’t playing or coaching.”
Surprisingly, we stayed married.
Even though my dad made him promise to cheer for the Cyclones before our wedding, it’s clear my husband still doesn’t fully understand what it means to be an Iowa State fan.
My siblings and I did not attend Iowa State. As a matter of fact, my brother has his M.D. from the University of Iowa. However, our parents raised us on Jesus, sweet corn, and the Cyclones.
More: The cell phone game that has captivated and connected the Iowa State basketball team
As the Cyclones solidified their trip to the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday night, I was texting with my sister.
We quickly discovered that, unbeknownst to each other, we both changed our clothes during halftime, convinced we were somehow bringing bad luck to our beloved Cyclones.
I laughed in delight, but not surprise. Of course we are superstitious about our team. As a Cyclone fan, nothing is promised.
More: It's strength on strength as Iowa State basketball meets Illinois in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Cheering for the Cyclones isn’t always easy. (See: the fall of Larry Eustachy and our football bowl game record). We know heartbreak and loss, but that’s why each “Sweet Caroline” feels so good, so good.
Back in my elementary school days I recall heated discussions about the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes. You were one or the other; there was no room for both. I graduated with a class of 30 students over 25 years ago, and to this day, I can tell you who cheered for the Hawkeyes and who bled cardinal and gold.
During my awkward middle school years, I proudly hung an autographed poster of Fred Hoiberg on my bedroom door, and in his coaching years, I donned my “Our coach is better-looking than your coach” T-shirt. It makes sense that one of my first and strongest crushes was on an Iowa State player.
More: Channel for Iowa State vs Illinois basketball today: Schedule for March Madness game
Now each fall the original five, our spouses, and seven grandchildren make the pilgrimage to Jack Trice. We tailgate, rush to cheer for the team bus, and experience the highs and lows of Iowa State athletics. The games are now family folklore, like the year we huddled near the corn dog stand during a storm delay (and eventual cancellation) or the year the propane heater melted my sister-in-law's winter coat.
One of my proudest parenting moments was the day my son shed tears over a devastating Cyclone loss during March Madness in 2013. I knew the indoctrination was complete.
The rest of my family still lives in Iowa, but now I’m transplanted in St. Paul. Yes, we have every professional sports team imaginable in my new state, but we don’t have Cyclones athletics.
Being a lifelong Iowa State fan has taught me resilience, loyalty, and grit. It has also given me a way to feel closer to my family, even when I’m geographically distanced.
During men’s and women’s basketball games, the family group chat is alive, so much so that my husband mutes us. My dad complains about the officiating, and even though it’s a text, I can see his exaggerated gestures and imagine my mom rolling her eyes. Through GIFs and screenshots, we communicate our anxiety, discuss strategy at halftime, and celebrate or commiserate at the conclusion.
It’s a thrilling time for college sports in Iowa, and while I’m not geographically there for it, you know I’m here cheering — and wearing my good luck attire.
Kimberly Witt is an Iowa transplant placing roots in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: A transplanted Iowan devours the Cyclones' March Madness success
