WE'VE GOT CYCLONE SPIRIT!
In 1954, members of the Pep Council decided that Iowa State needed a mascot to symbolize new spirit for the athletic teams. Since a cyclone was difficult to depict in costume, a cardinal was selected, from the cardinal and gold of the official school colors. Pep Council ran a contest to select a name for the new mascot. The winning entry, "Cy" was submitted by seventeen people. The first to submit the name, Mrs. Ed Ohlsen of Ames, won a cardinal and gold stadium blanket.
The original Cy with the cheer squad, 1954.
ISU Fight Song
O we will fight,
fight, fight for Iowa State,
And may her colors ever fly-
Yes, we will fight with might for Iowa State,
With the will to do or die, rah, rah, rah!
Loyal sons forever true,
And we will fight the battle thru-
And when we hit that line we'll hit it hard, every yard, for I.S.U!
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