Most of you are starting to adjust to life back in Ames or maybe life in Ames for the first time. You know it’s the start of the fall semester when you see packs of freshmen walking around in groups of 45. Inevitably, somewhere in the back of the pack is the computer

engineer with ’70s-style knee-length socks and glasses that are more obnoxious than those worn on “Laguna Beach.” But even “high-socks guy” can fit right in at Iowa State. He just has to trade in his button-down flannel shirt and red orientation bag for a “McCarney owns Ferentz” T-shirt and a pony keg. ÿ

Most importantly, “high-socks guy” has to keep up to date on the world of Cyclone athletics. There’s nothing that impresses the ladies more than knowing the deep snapper is Matt Purvis. To give you a head start, here is a quick update of the latest happenings in the Cyclone Nation.ÿ

Pollard announces renovation plan

Athletic Director Jamie Pollard has done more reconstruction to ISU athletics than Ashlee Simpson has done to her face. Here is the most ambitious of them all – by the year 2010, Jack Trice Stadium will have a bowled-in south end zone and Hilton Coliseum will be completely renovated. As early as this fall, Hilton will feature a massive new video board presented in high definition. There’s nothing like a Rahshon Clark tomahawk replayed in HD. Oh, and this one actually has the score on it. ÿ

McDermott is the man

For the last three years, those of us at this great institution were treated to the Wayne Morgan era of basketball. The Morgan era was about the equivalent of an all-night bender on Welch Avenue. It was fun and thrilling at times, but afterward you found yourself sulking with a huge headache and a half-eaten Jimmy John’s sandwich. Well, this year things are completely different. Greg McDermott is the coach, and he has brought in some exciting talent. Get used to the names Corey McIntosh and Michael Taylor, but most of all Wesley Johnson. When you think of Johnson, imagine Rahshon Clark plus 2 inches. He had some unbelievable dunks and swatted balls all over the gym during summer league.ÿ

Did I mention football?

Bret Meyer is back. Todd Blythe looks ready to explode along with the rest of the receivers. Stevie Hicks is reportedly healthy. Tight ends Ben Barkema and Walter Nickel have never looked better. True freshman running back Josh Johnson has looked fantastic in preseason camp. Dan McCarney said Johnson has “the juice.” I think that is a good thing. The other side of the ball . well, it will be entertaining.

Cyclone Warning

At Jack Trice, we will no longer be subjected to Jock Jams and a team entrance that was less inspirational than Heidi breaking up with her boyfriend on “The Hills.” Remember the tornado sirens at the Colorado game last year? They will be back.ÿ

One last thing. Sadly, I won’t be able to write for the Daily as often as I have in the past. From what I have heard, this will completely ruin the routine of many bathroom visits.

And truthfully, that will be my lasting place on campus – right next to the toilet. Have a great year and go Cyclones!

– Brent Blum is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale. He hosts the Cyclone Radio Network’s football postgame show. Blum can also be heard from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1430 KASI.

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See Brent’s other columns at the ISD