Long Lines for ISU Autographs

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State's football players learned something Saturday morning as the Cyclone gridiron team hosted the ISU Letterwinners Club skills clinic and then signed autographs for more than an hour in the Bergstrom Athletic Training Facility. The events preceded Saturday's spring scrimmage. For the participating players, it was a chance to understand how deep their fans' Cardinal and Gold roots run.

Iowa State quarterbacks Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates and the Cyclones' seniors worked the clinic and then signed autographs for a long line of fans throughout the morning.

“Austen and I got to play with the kids and have fun,” Bates said. “There were a lot of smiles out there.”

Bates donned the No. 7 jersey, which he wore in high school, during the clinic and autograph session. Several players started calling the sophomore “Bret Meyer.” Meyer, the all-time leading Iowa State passer, had worn that number the past five years.”

“I wore seven during my high school years and obviously didn't wear it when I came here because Bret had that number,” Bates said. “But now that it is available I hope to wear it.”

The skill level of some of the clinic participants was better than expected.

“It was great to see all the kids,” Arnaud said. “There were several kids throwing darts out there. (Iowa State wide receiver) Marquis Hamilton's little brother was good, I mean look out for him.”

Iowa State assistant for football operations Eric Link said nearly 1,000 people came through the Bergstrom Facility for one or both events.

Players Mentioned

Austen Arnaud

Austen Arnaud

Phillip Bates

Marquis Hamilton

Marquis Hamilton

Bret Meyer

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics