This year has been one of the craziest and most active in the ISU athletic department’s history. There were more changes than a Florida Marlins off-season. So let’s put a token in the way-back machine and relive the 10 most memorable moments of the Cyclone athletic department during 2005-06.

10. Soccer team qualifies for NCAA tournament.

Coach Rebecca Hornbacher and her team had the best season in ISU soccer history.

9. Real Cyclone touchdown

Prior to one of the biggest games of the year against Colorado, severe weather tormented the area and several tornadoes touched down only miles from the Jack Trice Stadium parking lot. This led to some of the worst jokes in the history of the spoken word: “I never thought I’d hear ‘Cyclone touchdown’ until the game started.” The Cyclones destroyed the Buffs, 30-16.

8. ISU women shock Texas

After getting ripped to pieces in the previous meeting against the Longhorns, the Cyclones entered the Big 12 tournament as longshots to advance past round one. Unheralded senior Brittany Wilkins spear-headed a late rally as Bill Fennelly’s group finished the game on a 22-11 run to win easily.

7. Bruce Van De Velde resigns

“Brucie Bruce” hung up his calculator and stingy pocketbook just days before the fall semester began amid pressure from the ISU administration and influential boosters. Thus ended a not-so illustrious period in the Cyclone athletic department, which included the elimination of baseball and diving, as well as the Larry Eustachy ordeal and the basketball coaching search debacle.

6. Cael Sanderson promoted to wrestling coach

It remains to be seen whether Bobby Douglas retired on his own or if he was pushed out, but nonetheless Iowa State found a pretty decent replacement. Sanderson, if I remember, was a pretty good wrestler in his day. I think it’s a good sign if you never lost a match in college, and have an Olympic gold medal in your possession.

5. ISU men dismantle Hawkeyes in Haluska’s return

In one of the few bright spots of the men’s basketball season, Iowa State suffocated Iowa, winning 72-60.

4. The dismissal of Morgan

In a week that began with a loss to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament and included a snubbing from the NIT, embarrassing national publicity for a scheduling “scandal” and the starting backcourt opting to leave for the NBA, resulted with the Captain failing to keep his ship from sinking.

3. Cyclones concuss Tate, Iowa

It was billed going into the game as the best Iowa-Iowa State game in the history of the series. Iowa entered ranking eighth nationally and Iowa State was expected to compete for a Big 12 North title. In front of a national audience, the game turned into a route. The Cyclone D was so good, Iowa QB Drew Tate decided to concuss himself so he no longer had to play. The Cyclones rode five Iowa turnovers to a 23-3 win, their sixth win in eight tries. They should just stop the series – it is becoming too one-sided.

2. ISU orders another Big Mac

One of the cheesiest – but beefy – headlines in Iowa State Daily history, announced to the world the new coach of Cyclone basketball. In less than three days, former UNI head coach Greg McDermott was courted and signed to bring back the Magic. He has since stockpiled talent, signing four elite recruits.

1. Jamie Pollard introduced as new athletic director

When introduced to the Cyclone nation, Jamie Pollard went Rickey Henderson on us, speaking of himself in the third person, “This is a great day for Iowa State; this is a great day for Jamie Pollard.” Indeed, he was correct. Pollard has cleaned house and set a vision for the Cyclone athletic department. No longer will underachieving be accepted. With Pollard leading the way, Iowa State appears to be headed for great things. If only he could kick field goals.

– Brent Blum is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.