Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2005
An unprecedented gathering of Olympic gold medal wrestlers: Cael Sanderson, Glen Brand, Dan Gable, Kevin Jackson, and Ben Peterson.

 


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OLYMPIANS GATHER FOR GOLDEN LEGACY DINNER

June 17 was a day cyclone wrestling fans will not likely soon forget. For the first time, all five ISU wrestling Olympic gold medalists were together in Ames to celebrate their accomplishments. Glen
Brand (civil eng ’50), Dan Gable (phys ed ’71), Ben Peterson (arch ’72), Kevin Jackson (1987-91), and Cael Sanderson (fine arts ’01) were recognized for representing the Cardinal and Gold by winning the gold on the world’s athletics stage at the Golden Legacy Dinner at the Hotel at Gateway Center.

“Just having one of these legendary competitors back would be great,” ISU athletics director Bruce Van De Velde said. “To have all of them together at once in the same room is unprecedented.”

You can check out a great collection of photos from the Golden Legacy Dinner on the Cyclone Wrestling Club’s Web site at http://www.cyclonewrestling
club.com/pictures/golden_legacy.html

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

Outgoing athletics director Bruce Van De Velde

Athletics director Bruce Van De Velde announced Aug. 8 that he is resigning, effective at the end of the year.

“I’m extremely proud of the success the Iowa State Athletics Department has achieved under my leadership the past five years. The department is financially sound, and we’ve had great success in
competition,” Van De Velde said. “It’s been a real pleasure to work with our athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and donors.”

Van De Velde (’82 physical education) became Iowa State’s athletics director Nov. 15, 2000. During his tenure, Athletics Department revenues increased from $19.6 million to $29 million, and the department established a $3.7 million operating reserve fund. Season ticket sales and fundraising for athletics
increased significantly, with more than 2,000 new donors contributing to the National Cyclone Club. Major facility improvements include the Bergstrom
Indoor Training Facility; the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center and Rod and Connie French Academic Center; new seating, signage, and permanent lighting
at Jack Trice Stadium; and renovation of Hilton Coliseum.

Also during the last five years, Iowa State has participated in four bowl games and achieved its highest national ranking in football in school history, won Big 12 Championships in both men’s and women’s basketball, and competed in the NCAA and NIT Tournaments. Iowa State wrestling, gymnastics, and
track and field also competed in the NCAA Championships.

Van De Velde will continue to serve as athletics director until his successor is hired, or until Dec. 31, 2005. In addition, he will provide consulting services through June 2006. A national search for a new athletics director began immediately following the announcement of Van De Velde’s resignation; at
press time a new athletics director had not been named.