Kids Celebrate Super Bowl With Cyclones

STORY CITY, Iowa ? A group of Iowa State football student-athletes made some new friends and learned a little themselves during a Jan. 30 visit to Roland-Story Elementary School. Through teacher Jane Bauman, the Cyclones traveled here to speak to the fourth-graders the Friday before the Super Bowl. The ISU players talked about making good decisions, the importance of academic studies and about how few athletes actually get to compete at the collegiate level.

“I do Super Bowl Friday every year and have activities throughout the day that deal with the Super Bowl and football in general,” Bauman said. “We play Touchdown Math. The kids get to choose a 10-, 20- or 30-yard question. Their team continues to move the ball as long as they answer the questions correctly.”

It is an all-day affair.

“A party would not be complete without football snacks in the afternoon,” Bauman said. “We edit writing that deals with the Super Bowl. I have the football players talk about what it is like to play football at the college level. They also talk about the importance of good grades and listening to parents, teachers and coaches. I have been doing it for about 13 years.”

Iowa State defensive end Jake McDonough enjoyed the mixer.

“We told them that it was very important to stay on top of their grades in order to have a successful career in anything they do,” McDonough said. “We also explained the importance of getting a college degree.”

It was clear that McDonough received a large measure of goodwill during the visit.

“I love being around younger kids,” McDonough said. “The most exciting part of the experience was walking in for the first time and seeing all of the kids' eyes light up. Being able to sit down and have lunch with the kids made it that much more exciting. I was honored to have been chosen to go to Roland-Story. It was a great experience being able to talk to all of the kids and teachers.”

Senior defensive back Kyle Walker said personal interaction was the favorite part of the visit.

“The best part for me was probably when we got to eat lunch with the kids,” Walker said. “(The fourth-graders) were saying ?come sit by me, come sit by me.' At each table they were asking tons of questions.”

Bauman says the experience will not soon be forgotten by her students.

“The kids talk about the players throughout the year,” Bauman said. “They are so excited to see them. It is also fun to do different things and make school fun. I thank the ISU football team for their support.”

The appreciation cuts both ways.

Players Mentioned

Jake McDonough

Jake McDonough

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics