I was lucky enough to get to go to the Iowa State v. Iowa game on Saturday, but I have to say I was not proud to be a Cyclone that day.

It was not because of the football team and staff and not because of the student body. It was because of the adult fans at the game.

The student-body section was standing and cheering a majority of the game. However, after the touchdown run of Tavian Banks, the “adult” fans seemed to get lockjaw and become paralyzed in their extremities.

I know the players give 100 percent, and for the Iowa game, probably gave 110 percent.

It’s too bad the majority of their fans can’t give the same. Setting aside the fact that it was a game against Iowa, it was a nationally televised game, and the temperature wasn’t minus 40, so no one had an excuse to sit on their hands.

Every fan should have been giving the team resounding support for the effort they gave.

The fans gave up early on; isn’t it a good thing the Cyclone players and coaches didn’t?

Wouldn’t we have been on Coach McCarney’s case if at the middle of the third quarter he pulled his players off the field, led the team into the dressing room and said, “That’s all folks.”

If we truly believe what we preach, that the college experience doesn’t restrict learning to the classroom, what are we teaching our students?

Are we relaying to them they will only get our full and complete support if they meet our expectations (winning)?

Shouldn’t we be telling them they have our complete support because we know that they are giving it all they have, and if the outcome doesn’t meet all of our expectations, we are still there “with bells on” to support and encourage them?

Maybe ISU fans should take part of the credit for the loss to Iowa. How much cheering did we do when we had them 3rd and 9, or when we went for it on 4th and 2?

I was proud of our team, coaches and student body on Saturday and give them an A+.

The bummer was the “adult” fans; I give you a big, fat F. Maybe you can do better with some tutoring or homework.

Marsha Harmon

Program assistant

College of Education