The recent success of Iowa State’s athletic program has attracted quality coaches, players, and a media frenzy to Ames.

The rumors linking Iowa State men’s basketball coach Tim Floyd with a coaching position for the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, has been a positive for ISU, said Iowa State athletic director Gene Smith.

Anytime the athletic program is positively portrayed in the news, the university as a whole benefits, Smith said.

“Athletics are the window through which the institution is sometimes viewed, and we want to continually reflect positively on the university,” he said.

According to Smith, focus and commitment towards athletic and academic excellence have made ISU a top-notch choice for players and coaches.

Coaches and athletes can recognize that ISU is willing to do what is necessary in order to be successful, Smith said.

Smith said Iowa State is “attractive for a professional looking to be successful. We have a lot of tools in place and we are able to sell a great community.”

The institution has recently improved its standing among NCAA schools by upgrading several facilities. A much-needed weight room in Hilton Coliseum, the expansion of the Olsen Building, new turf at Cyclone Stadium, and the addition of press boxes at the baseball and softball fields have vastly helped their respective programs.

Another area ISU is working on is in making its compensation packages for coaches more lucrative, Smith said.

According to Smith, ISU is not finished making improvements.

“We are healthy in most sports, but we still need to do some work,” he said.

The foundation is there for a top-ranking athletic program, Smith said.

“We try to create an environment for people to be successful,” he said.

“Coaches understand that we want to win, and we’re committed to that,” Smith said.

Smith said that having ISU sports in the spotlight is what he hopes for because it shows that coaches and players have helped both the athletic program and the university.