Cyclones Initiate Champions Mentoring Program

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell aspires to have his student-athletes succeed on the field and away from the gridiron.

Coping with the heavy workload of being a football player and a successful student is daunting. That's why Campbell initiated the Cyclone Champions Mentoring Program.

The program is beneficial in multiple ways. It allows his players to seek help from a former ISU football letterwinner as a mentor. The mentors can offer life skills advice and relate stories and guidance on how they were able to navigate the rigors of balancing football and everyday life.

The other benefit the program provides is the opportunity for ISU gridiron stars from the past to stay connected with the program, something Campbell has aggressively stressed since he took over the reins of program in November.

"We have a group of 25 current Cyclones who are assigned former players as mentors," Iowa State Assistant AD for Special Events/Letterwinners Lindsey Long said. "The goal of the program is to be able to foster a relationship between former players and current players and help with their development by using sports as life skills and how to transfer it into life after competition and college."

Former Iowa State wide receiver Jack Whitver remembers the challenges of student-athletes during his outstanding career for the Cyclones from 2000-02. Whitver, who caught 52 passes for 685 yards in ISU's 2002 Humanitarian Bowl season, jumped at the chance to help when approached.

"I think this is a great idea," Whitver said. "I would guess 90% of my teammates graduated from college and had no idea what they wanted to do. This program can at least help them get experience by talking to people in the real world. Their time at ISU goes by quick and having someone guide them will really be beneficial."

Iowa State sophomore tight end Cole Anderson is among the 25 mentees in the program.

Anderson's mentor is former All-American tight end Mike Busch. As a two-sport All-American (football and baseball) and the 1990 Big Eight Athlete of the Year, Busch is one of the most accomplished athletes in school history.

"I don't want to say I was in awe, but shocked would be the word," Anderson said when he found out the stature of his mentor. "Wow, this guy has been there done that. Walked the walk. Talked the talk. So it was really cool to meet him. I know how much he can help me."

Long envisions this program being an integral part of the mentees student-athlete experience for the rest of their careers.

"All of the current student athletes that are in the program right now are in their third year at ISU," Long said. "We are looking at a two-year commitment. In that two years, we hope that the mentors will be able to walk with them as they graduate. It's just an overall win-win situation for everyone involved."