Completed Event: Football versus Iowa on September 6, 2025 , Win , 16, to, 13
.png&width=70&height=70&type=webp)
Iowa State University Athletics
Wedding Gift Makes Soldier's Dream a Reality
06.04.2010 | Football
AMES, Iowa?Kym Schealler wanted to do something special for her husband, Jake, as a wedding gift before he reported for duty to the National Guard with eventual deployment to Afghanistan. Kym's gift helped make a dream of Jake's a reality, as the life-long Cyclone fan and Madrid, Iowa, native met Iowa State head football coach Paul Rhoads. Also in attendance Friday afternoon at the football offices in the Jacobson Athletic Building to meet the Scheallers were senior co-captains Austen Arnaud, Michael O'Connell, Rashawn Parker and David Sims.
In addition to having the opportunity to meet Rhoads and the ISU captains, Jake was presented an authentic Iowa State football jersey with Schealler on the back from the Cyclone contingent. The meeting also held special meaning to the Scheallers because of how important Iowa State football is to the couple. Jake and Kym met while tailgating before a Cyclone gridiron clash. They were married this past week.
“This was awesome,” Jake said. “I have always been a Cyclone fan and to get a chance to meet coach Rhoads and the players was a dream come true because I have so much respect for them.”
For Rhoads, the meeting was a humbling experience.
“From a wedding-gift standpoint for Kym to think of the captains and myself to be a part of that is an honor for us, but it is much deeper when it involves someone serving our country,” Rhoads said. “It is very humbling to be able to be a part of something special like this.”
Parker echoed Rhoads' sentiment.
“Anytime you get a chance to meet somebody like this that wants to go out and fight for our freedom really touches my heart,” Parker said. “You want to give something back to touch his heart to because he is willing to go out and fight for our freedom.”
Kym plans on pulling double duty as a fan and reporter during the ISU football season, as she will be updating Jake as often as possible on the Cyclones this fall.
Rhoads, the co-captains and the rest of the Cyclones will be working tirelessly to provide Kym with some great moments to share with Jake this fall.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
DE
/ FootballDL
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ FootballJimmy Rogers Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 08
Cyclone Express ISU at Oklahoma St 2025
Wednesday, December 03
Matt Campbell Signing Day Press Conference (2026 Class)
Wednesday, December 03
FB REPLAY: Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State ESPNU 2025
Monday, December 01
