As a young boy and Cyclone fan, I can remember walking among the tailgaters in the parking lot into Jack Trice, hearing Pete Taylor’s voice ring from the thousands of fans’ cars celebrating the games and the victories.

Today, as a student at Iowa State, I still listen to Pete. His voice is the Cyclones. For all of the untelevised games and even the televised ones, it is common practice to turn on the radio and listen to Mr. Cyclone broadcast the game.

While singing the national anthem with the Iowa Statesmen on the court at the Mizzou game and observing the moment of silence, there was a void. I looked over to the left edge of the scorer’s table. Pete was not there.

As I glanced at Coach Eustachy, I could tell he wasn’t his normal self. I glanced straight ahead to see Cyclones television broadcaster John Walters break out in tears. The Cyclone family is missing one of its strongest links today.

We will forever keep Pete’s voice alive in our hearts, for no one can ever compare in the amount of drama and enthusiasm that Pete put into Cyclone athletics. The tears shed for him in Ames, throughout Iowa and across the nation are shed in joy for all of the greatness that Pete brought into all of our lives.

Thanks for the memories, Pete. You will always remain Mr. Cyclone in my heart and the hearts of many others. Cyclone athletics won’t be the same without you.

Ryan Zittritsch

Sophomore

Exercise and Sport Science