Students Rally for Iowa State

AMES, Iowa -- A crowd of more than 1,500 Iowa State students exchanged mutual excitement about the upcoming Iowa State football season with the Cyclone squad during the 2006 Student Pep Rally Thursday in Jack Trice Stadium. The team also staged part of its practice before the gathering that marked the second straight year that ISU students enjoyed a meal with music provided by the ISU marching band, shouted cheers led Thursday by ISU Alumni Association President and CEO Jeff Johnson, and heard briefly from Cyclone athletics director Jamie Pollard, head football coach Dan McCarney and the co-captains of 2006 Iowa State squad. Iowa State opens the 2006 season Aug. 31, in a Thursday night game against Toledo that will kickoff at 7 p.m.

"We listened to you last year," Pollard said. "You love night games and we will play three home night games this season," the ISU athletics director said to the cheers of the students. "Now we are counting on you to get your friends to the game so we have as many of you here as possible."

McCarney affirmed the importance of student support for his program.

"Just seven days to go and we are going to need all of you here next Thursday," McCarney said. "Toledo is a bowl champion team with great tradition and home field advantage will be important. There are only a handful of games being played Thursday, it is on television and ESPN will show the highlights. We want the rest of the nation to see what a great, special place Jack Trice Stadium is and that the students lead the way."

"Get to the stadium early," said Iowa State co-captain and quarterback Bret Meyer. "We want everybody ready to 'pack the Jack.'

The rally included a drawing for one student to attempt a 20-yard field goal. Another student threw a 15-yard post pass. Other students attempted to catch booming kicks by Iowa State punter Mike Brandtner.

Industrial engineering senior Adam Gielau attempted the field goals. The Denver native is excited about the upcoming season.

"I can't wait to see the offense," Gielau said.

Iowa State senior defensive back David Rahe, a former walkon who earned a scholarship this week, spoke to the importance of the student section during games at Jack Trice Stadium.

"There is no doubt," Rahe said. "If you look at the dynamics of the crowd, naturally the students will be the loudest fans. The louder the crowd the better it is going to be."

More than 7,000 students are expected to pack the Iowa State student section when Iowa State and Toledo take the field Thursday.

Players Mentioned

Mike Brandtner

Bret Meyer

Bret Meyer

David Rahe

David Rahe

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics