Iowa State University Athletics
Five Cyclones Enshrined To Hall of Fame
09.22.2023 | Athletics
AMES, Iowa – Five former Cyclone athletes/coaches were bestowed the highest honor by the Iowa State Athletics Department Friday night at the Sukup End Zone Club. Joan Gearhart (women's golf), Hercle Ivy (men's basketball), Dennis Mazur (men's gymnastics), Betsy Saina (women's track & field/cross country) and Mike Strachan (football) received their Hall of Fame rings as members of the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Gearhart is a true pioneer of Cyclone women's athletics. She was one of the first female coaches hired by the university when she started the Iowa State women's golf program from scratch in 1970.
Gearhart led the Cyclones to three AIAW National Tournament appearances (1972, 1975, 1982) and won 23 tournament titles during her career from 1970-82. The NGCA Hall-of-Famer has devoted her life to the game of golf and her induction tonight is a highlight of her incredible career.
"I am overwhelmed and am loss for words," Gearhart said. "This is a big honor. I always thought that only coaches in big sports and administrators get this honor. This is obviously one of the biggest highlights of my life."
Strachan made his first visit back to Ames in 48 years after graduating and participating in the New Orleans Saints training camp in 1975. Strachan was a bulldozer of a running back for the Cyclones in the final days at Clyde Williams Field (1972-74).
The two-time All-Big Eight running back became the first Cyclone in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons (1972 and 1973). Strachan led the Big Eight in rushing in 1972 (1,260), earning Big Eight Offensive Newcomer accolades.
When his Cyclone career ended in 1974, he had the most rushing yards in school history (3,010), a total that ranked third in Big Eight history at the time. Strachan later went onto a successful career in the NFL, tallying 1,902 career rushing yards for the Saints from 1975-80.
"Being inducted is something I never dreamed of and something I will forever cherish," Strachan said. "It's so exciting to be back home. It's amazing how much has changed over the years. Even though I haven't back, I am forever a Cyclone and root for them."
A total of 204 athletes have been enshrined into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame, which was established in 1997.
