Iowa State University Athletics
2018 Cy's Favorite Alum: Julie Larson
10.12.2018 | Athletics, Cyclone Club
Julie Larson has big plans for retirement, and just like her career, they include staying active in Cyclone Nation.Â
After dedicating 34 years to the ISU Alumni Association, Larson retired in July 2018. At Saturday's football game against West Virginia, Larson will be recognized as Iowa State's 2018 Cy's Favorite Alum.
The Iowa City native completed her undergraduate education at the University of Northern Colorado, but received her master's degree in higher education from Iowa State in 1984.
Larson began as an adviser to the Student Alumni Association, but has assumed many job titles during her time with the organization.
Some of her biggest accomplishments include helping create the Cyclone Alley student section for Iowa State basketball games, serving as adviser to ISU's Parents' Board, and beginning an alumni career resources program.
In addition, Larson helped create the student membership program, now called the Future Alumni Network.
During her time at the ISU Alumni Association, Larson was instrumental in organizing spirit rallies, alumni clubs, and outreach events.
"That was great because I was able to go to all of the Big Eight and Big 12 Tournaments, bowl games and away games," Larson said. "We worked closely with athletics and it was really fun and exciting to experience all of that."
A passionate Cyclone fan, Larson has been a football and men's and women's basketball season ticket holder for years.
Larson has seen so many of Iowa State's greatest moments, she says it's hard to pick just one as her favorite.Â
"It's hard to pick because every time you see something new you think, 'this is the best,' because you forget about the other ones," Larson said.Â
Among Larson's favorite memories are watching Iowa State win its first Big Eight Tournament in 1996 at Kemper Arena, three of the last five Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournaments in Kansas City and the 2011 Oklahoma State football game.Â
Of course, spirit rallies and bowl games are towards the top of her list as well.Â
"Attending the Insight.com Bowl in 2000 after a 22-year drought and seeing the Cyclones win their first Bowl game ever, attending the pre-evening spirit rally with thousands of ISU fans was beyond anything Cyclone football fans had experienced in a number of years," Larson said.
But her legacy, she hopes, is the people she has impacted.
"I hope I made a difference in the lives of individuals," Larson said. "Whether I've worked with them for 34 years or just met them within the last five years, I hope that I've impacted their time at Iowa State."
As for post-retirement plans, she hopes to stay involved as a volunteer at Iowa State and travel to more away football and basketball games.Â
"We are very excited to recognize Julie Larson as this year's Cy's Favorite Alum," athletics director Jamie Pollard said. "Given everything Julie has done for other alums, especially during all the athletics events she has helped host, it is only fitting that she be honored as this year's recipient. She will always be remembered for her can-do attitude and ever present smile. Although she is retiring from the Alumni Association, I know we will continue to see her cheering on the Cyclones at all of our sporting events."
Thank you to Julie Larson for your continued support of Iowa State Athletics!
