About Cyclone athletics

Iowa State fields 18 varsity squads in the Big 12 Conference, the nation's premier athletics league. A strong fan base helps the Cyclones continuously break attendance records and earn top honors in national online polls ranking the best "student spirit" (Hilton Coliseum) and "most dominant mascot on Earth" (Cy).

It was a record year academically and athletically

In 2009-10, the Cyclones recorded an all-time record high graduation rate (seventh-best among BCS schools) for student-athletes and a program-best finish in the national Directors’ Cup all-sports standings (34th). Combining those measures, ISU was the 13th-best program nationally.

Koll shatters record

Iowa State distance runner Lisa Koll shattered the collegiate record in the 10,000-meter run in 2010, winning the event at the Stanford Invitational in 31:18.07. As a senior, she won the NCAA indoor championship in the 5,000 meters and outdoor championships in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

Football success under Rhoads

In two seasons on the Cyclone sidelines, Paul Rhoads has guided his club to the first win at Nebraska in 32 years, the first-ever victory at Texas and a stirring 14-13 Insight Bowl win against Minnesota in his rookie season.

Cyclone Alley

Cyclone Alley is known in the college basketball circles as being one of the loudest, most passionate and loyal student sections in the nation. ESPN.com recently picked Hilton Coliseum as the "Hot Arena" in the Big 12. Coaches in the league noted that "the Cyclones have a home court like no other."

11 NCAA Championship appearances

Head coach Bill Fennelly has guided the Cyclones to 12 NCAA Championship appearances in his 16 years at the helm of the women's basketball program, including two Elite Eight berths and five Sweet Sixteen games. Texas is the only school in the Big 12 with more (13) NCAA Tournament appearances than the Cyclones during that timeframe.

Volleyball

Iowa State's volleyball team has become a national powerhouse, making the NCAA tournament five seasons in a row. The Cyclones advanced to the Sweet Sixteen three times and the Elite Eight once under head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch.

Super Six gymnastics team

The 2006 Iowa State gymnastics team won the Big 12 Conference title and qualified for the Super Six for the first time in program history.

Record overall achievement

In the 2009-10 season, a school-record seven teams (wrestling, indoor and outdoor women's track, volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's cross country) ended the year ranked in their respective sports Top 25.