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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclones Enjoy Warmth of Insight Bowl
12.28.2009 | Football
TEMPE, Ariz. ? The Insight Bowl and its sister game, the Fiesta Bowl, are well known for the hospitality of the staff and hundreds of volunteers who go out of their way to make every member of a team's traveling party feel right at home. Iowa State's football team has been the recipient of the warmth that radiates from the bowl organizers and the sun that drenched the Cyclone practice field Sunday.
On Monday evening, the Cyclone players were treated to rib eye steak dinners at the Rustler's Roost Restaurant. The establishment is a Phoenix icon that is built on a butte overlooking the entire metropolitan area. The team slid down an incline to enter the restaurant.
The bowl allows open evenings during the first few days of the bowl week to give players an opportunity to go out and enjoy the nightlife of Tempe and the surrounding area.
“It is great that we have the time to ourselves so we can enjoy the warm weather and city,” Iowa State linebacker Fred Garrin said.
Garrin is one of a handful of Cyclone players that went to Iowa State's last post season game, the 2005 Houston Bowl.
Some players used their free time Monday to watch film. The evening curfew gets earlier each day leading up to the game that will kickoff at 5 p.m. CST on New Year's Eve against Minnesota.
Rhoads urged his team after Monday's practice to take care of their bodies as the game approaches.
“If you feel tired, then get the sleep you need,” Rhoads said. “The last two nights of sleep before the game will be very important.”
Iowa State has been staying at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass resort on the Gila Reservation on the outskirts of the Tempe area. More activities are planned for the team ahead of Wednesday's pep rally.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
