Cy is well-known throughout the Ames community as the ISU mascot. He was introduced in 1954 and is a cardinal because a cyclone was not easy to depict.

There was a contest for people to submit names for the new mascot. The name Cy was submitted by 17 different people. The first person to submit said name was Mrs. Ed Ohlsen.

ISU fans can go to www.cyclones.com to request that Cy makes an appearance. This is done through the Iowa State Athletics Spirit Squad.