Cy the Cardinal is the mascot of Iowa State University's sports teams. Iowa State became the Cyclones after a series of tornadoes (then called cyclones) ravaged the area in 1898. [ 2 ] Because a cyclone was difficult to depict in costume, a cardinal was selected from the cardinal and gold of the official school colors. [ 3 ]

Feb 7, 2023 · The first Iowa State mascot was a Great Dane belonging to Ames resident Vivian Snook. While the dog’s actual name was Durban von Der Gartenstadt, he became the first “Cy” and was seen on the sideline of Iowa State games wearing a blanket of cardinal and gold.

Aug 15, 2024 · CY: THE MASCOT. Cy is the official mascot of Iowa State University and fulfills athletics and community events by the members of the Mascot Squad. Cy attends sporting events such as football, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, softball, and …

Nov 11, 2024 · Cy, Iowa State’s historic mascot, celebrated 70 years of existence Oct. 16. The year of 1989 marked Kendall Griffith’s year as Cy and in 1990, former Cy John Davidson experienced the...

Adams, the president of Collegiate Manufacturing, contacted sports information director Harry Burrell with the suggestion that his firm create a mascot for Iowa State. An Ames company, Collegiate Manufacturing was then the leading supplier of college souvenirs—pennants, blankets, and stuffed animals—in the nation.

Feb 14, 1989 · The story of Cy the Cardinal goes back to the early 1950s when an Iowa State mascot was only a glint in the eye of Chev Adams, president of the former Collegiate Manufacturing Company of Ames, and Harry Burrell, Iowa State sports information director.

Iowa State’s beloved mascot, Cy, turned 70 in 2024. Did you know? The original 1954 costume can be viewed in Cy’s Lounge at the ISU Alumni Center. Virgil Petty (’57, ’64) was the inaugural Cy mascot, chosen by the athletic club to don the cardinal and gold costume after being cut from the varsity basketball team.

Jun 1, 2014 · Cy is well-known throughout the Ames community as the ISU mascot. He was introduced in 1954 and is a cardinal because a cyclone was not easy to depict.

Iowa State's Pep Council had thought it would be a great idea to have a symbol of new spirit for Cyclone athletic teams, and started work on a mascot for Iowa State. A cardinal was chosen because it would be easy to decorate and would represent the entire school.

Oct 10, 2024 · Cy the mascot, who turns 70 on Oct. 16, will spend his birthday doing what he loves: Cheering on his team and working the Hilton Coliseum crowd during that night's Iowa State-BYU volleyball match (6:30 p.m.).