“Have you talked to Larry?” asked the woman seated upon the bright red truck.

“Yeah … He’s hanging in there. He said he’s going to fight it,” the towering basketball player responded.

Conversations heard on the steps of Beardshear Hall at noon Thursday centered around Larry Eustachy and the announcement Wednesday from Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde that he recommends Eustachy be terminated as head men’s basketball coach.

The announcement came after news of Eustachy’s behavior at college parties hit both local and national media. But Van De Velde’s decision — which was announced hours after Eustachy told the public that he is seeking counseling for alcoholism — has created even more headlines, as well as a protest on campus Thursday that blocked traffic on Morrill Road for a short while.

The protesters, some calling themselves Students Against Firing Eustachy, emphasized support and second chances.

Students held signs as they stood on the steps of Beardshear Hall, sat on top of a truck parked in front of the building and spilled out onto the sidewalk.

“We’re protesting to give Larry a second chance,” said John Owens, freshman in civil engineering.

Ryan Engel, junior in aerospace engineering, agreed.

“He really does deserve a second chance,” Engel said. “We really need to stand behind him.”

Matt Nuetzman, junior in pre-journalism and mass communication, said he did not believe the university’s decision was best for Iowa State.

“Iowa State is about the students, and the students want Larry Eustachy,” he said.

Advocates said they believed Eustachy was taking responsibility for his actions.

“As long as Larry is going to seek help for his admitted problem, the university should support that,” said Butch Hansen, owner of Butch’s Amoco, 100 E. Lincoln Way.

Players came out to support Eustachy as well.

They signed autographs on protester’s fliers that read “Save Larry.”

“We want him back,” said Jackson Vroman, a starting forward on the ISU men’s basketball team.

Vroman and point guard Tim Barnes said they’re willing to transfer if Eustachy is fired or asked to resign, the Daily reported earlier this week.

“If one lapse in judgment is enough to remove him after five great years of coaching, I don’t agree with that at all,” Vroman said Tuesday.

Jared Homan, a starting center, said he hopes the administration will reconsider the actions taken against Eustachy and reinstate the coach.

Vroman said he was surprised and disappointed at Eustachy’s announcement he is an alcoholic. Players visited Eustachy at his home last night, and Vroman said he looks good.

He said he hopes the support on campus and across the nation will help Eustachy’s cause.

“I know the people against [Eustachy] made a difference, [so maybe] the people backing him will make a difference,” Vroman said.

Hansen said he also believed the support could help Eustachy’s case.

“It’s certainly not going to hurt,” he said.

David Grimesey, senior in political science, said he thinks Eustachy should be reprimanded for his comments against the ISU men’s basketball team, but the situation is being blown out of proportion.

“Eustachy is not the first coach ever to have a drinking problem,” Grimesey said.

Deanne Miller, sophomore in biology, agreed with Grimesey.

“He shouldn’t be fired but [there should] be some sort of punishment,” she said.

Hansen and Engel both suggested a zero tolerance policy be enacted against Eustachy.

Another protest has been organized at 1 p.m. Friday on the steps of Beardshear Hall, this one officially taking on the moniker Students Against Firing Eustachy.