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The Cyclone Invasion
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-09-20
LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas is a melting pot of sports allegiances. There is no major professional sports team in town, and the last time UNLV was a must-attend event for top celebrities was when Jerry Tarkanian coached the men’s basketball team.
People come here from all over the country decked out in their favorite team’s appeal. This is the one spot where Red Sox, Cubs or Yankees paraphernalia doesn’t dominate the scenery.
That’s why I was surprised when everywhere I went on the Las Vegas Strip, ISU fans were out in full force. It felt like I traveled six hours to land in Ames.
Hordes of Cyclone followers were standing around the baggage carousel at McCarran International Airport. Ten people in ISU shirts stood behind me when I checked in at Circus Circus.
The two men in front of me were from West Des Moines and were debating if they should have come into town Thursday. They weren’t sure they would have enough time to gamble before kickoff.
Some problems 21-year-olds can face only in Vegas.
I sat down at a poker game in Caesar’s Palace, and what do you know, the guys at the table next to me are discussing Cyclone football. They were spreading the gospel according to Cy, preaching to all they needed to hop on the ISU football bandwagon now because the Cyclones are heading to a bowl game.
Yes, they had a few cocktails. And, yes, they left all their money on the table.
There was no way to get around it, so I figured I would venture into the eye of the storm. Hooters Casino threw a bash for ISU fans Friday, and when I walked into the joint, I felt I was in a higher-class version of Sips.
More than 50 people were standing at the entrance drinking beer in plastic cups and proving it is possible to bring the college town bar feel to Sin City. More than half of the casino was Cyclone fans.
Some congregated together tossing back a few beers while reliving glory days.
Some sat at blackjack tables, trying to dazzle the dealers with stories of how they met coach Gene Chizik.
Some treated the evening like a Friday night at Sips.
The last time I covered a sporting event in Las Vegas, the No. 1 college basketball team in the country was in town. So were seven other teams for a tournament. I didn’t see as many fans for Illinois, or any of the other teams, then as I saw Cyclone fans this weekend.
No matter where I went, I saw cardinal and gold.
It was next to me at the Bellagio Fountain. It was next to me at the Flamingo buffet. I’m pretty sure it was in the hotel room next to me.
I had a cab driver ask me what all the people with the bird on their shirts were doing in town.
If the cabbies are small talking about ISU fans, then it’s official: the Cyclones took over Vegas.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-09-20
Bobby La Gesse covers Iowa State football for The Tribune.
LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas is a melting pot of sports allegiances. There is no major professional sports team in town, and the last time UNLV was a must-attend event for top celebrities was when Jerry Tarkanian coached the men’s basketball team.
People come here from all over the country decked out in their favorite team’s appeal. This is the one spot where Red Sox, Cubs or Yankees paraphernalia doesn’t dominate the scenery.
That’s why I was surprised when everywhere I went on the Las Vegas Strip, ISU fans were out in full force. It felt like I traveled six hours to land in Ames.
Hordes of Cyclone followers were standing around the baggage carousel at McCarran International Airport. Ten people in ISU shirts stood behind me when I checked in at Circus Circus.
The two men in front of me were from West Des Moines and were debating if they should have come into town Thursday. They weren’t sure they would have enough time to gamble before kickoff.
Some problems 21-year-olds can face only in Vegas.
I sat down at a poker game in Caesar’s Palace, and what do you know, the guys at the table next to me are discussing Cyclone football. They were spreading the gospel according to Cy, preaching to all they needed to hop on the ISU football bandwagon now because the Cyclones are heading to a bowl game.
Yes, they had a few cocktails. And, yes, they left all their money on the table.
There was no way to get around it, so I figured I would venture into the eye of the storm. Hooters Casino threw a bash for ISU fans Friday, and when I walked into the joint, I felt I was in a higher-class version of Sips.
More than 50 people were standing at the entrance drinking beer in plastic cups and proving it is possible to bring the college town bar feel to Sin City. More than half of the casino was Cyclone fans.
Some congregated together tossing back a few beers while reliving glory days.
Some sat at blackjack tables, trying to dazzle the dealers with stories of how they met coach Gene Chizik.
Some treated the evening like a Friday night at Sips.
The last time I covered a sporting event in Las Vegas, the No. 1 college basketball team in the country was in town. So were seven other teams for a tournament. I didn’t see as many fans for Illinois, or any of the other teams, then as I saw Cyclone fans this weekend.
No matter where I went, I saw cardinal and gold.
It was next to me at the Bellagio Fountain. It was next to me at the Flamingo buffet. I’m pretty sure it was in the hotel room next to me.
I had a cab driver ask me what all the people with the bird on their shirts were doing in town.
If the cabbies are small talking about ISU fans, then it’s official: the Cyclones took over Vegas.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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