Iowa State University Athletics
Cy’s Favorite Alum: Craig and Virginia Petermeier
09.08.2023 | Athletics, Cyclone Club
Iowa State will recognize Craig and Virginia Petermeier as the 2023 Cy's Favorite Alums at the Athletics Director's Reception on Friday, September 8.
The Cy's Favorite Alum Award, a tradition started in 1955, recognizes deserving graduates, supporters or contributors whose accomplishments and loyalty stand out.
"I am so excited that we are honoring Virginia and Craig Petermeier as this year's Cy's Favorite Alum," Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. "They are the gold standard of loyalty when it comes to supporting everything Iowa State University. In addition to their season tickets, Cyclone Club memberships, and donations to just about every capital project we have had in the past 25 years, they are also really genuine and humble people who I am honored to have as friends."
Craig and Virginia have been married for over 40 years and have been loyal ISU supporters for nearly 30 years. The Petermeiers are active members of the Iowa State Cyclone Club and Alumni Association and have contributed to countless special projects.
Their Cyclone journey began when Craig was just 13 years old. At that time, Cyclone football player Lawrence "Big Daddy" Hunt visited Baxter, Iowa, Petermeier's hometown.
From there, Craig immediately began following Iowa State and knew he needed to be a part of the Cyclone family.
However, while his peers went off to college at Iowa State, Craig attended Marshalltown Community College in hopes of playing college football. Nonetheless, after two years at MCC, he decided to join his peers and become a Cyclone.
After graduating in 1978 with a BS in Industrial Administration, Craig became a CPA but soon realized that numbers were not his calling. So, he joined The Jacobson Companies which had only 25 employees at the time. Petermeier eventually became the company's CEO with 7,000 employees, and the company was sold to Wall Street in 2008.
Petermeier said one thing Dick Jacobson, the founder of Jacobson Companies, taught him was finding something you're passionate about and giving both time and money towards it.
"Iowa State was an obvious choice for me," Craig said.
When Craig met his wife Virginia, she dove right in as a Cyclone fan.
"She provides the logic and level head in our relationship. When I get upset, she tells me, 'no, no, no we're going to be fine," Craig said.
Craig said one of his fondest memories of Iowa State was helping fund the Johnny Orr statue inside Hilton Coliseum. Afterwards, Orr hugged Petermeier and thanked him.
"It brings tears to my eyes to this day," Petermeier said. "That memory of Johnny and his gratitude, it's a pretty emotional thing."
As for Craig's favorite thing about Iowa State, he says it's the people.
"The down to earth, salt of the earth people that I have been associated with at Iowa State are phenomenal," Craig said. "We love being Cyclones."
The couple has given to the Johnny Majors Practice Fields, Bergstrom Indoor Facility, Cy Mascot & Spirit Squad Fund, Stadium Expansion & Reiman Gardens Project, Cyclone Club, Alumni Association and the Stark Performance Center.
"The only thing [Virginia and I] don't disagree on is our love for Iowa State. It is refreshing being married to somebody that loves Iowa State as much as I do," Craig said.
The Petermeiers have two children, both graduates from Iowa State, and three grandchildren. Their hobbies include taking trips to their home at the Lake of the Ozarks, wintering in Florida and of course, supporting the Cyclones.
Thank you to Craig and Virginia Petermeier for your continued dedication and support of Iowa State Athletics!
