Inside Iowa State

August 26, 2005

Where is he? Keep an eye on Cy

by Anne Krapfl

Pull out that cardinal twill shirt, the Cyclone sweater vest or your home team beads. You may need them more frequently than you thought. The trademark licensing office is coordinating a multi-year "Eye on Cy" campaign to promote the university around the state and strengthen people's emotional ties to Iowa State. Mascot Cy is the centerpiece of the campaign and is scheduled to make dozens of appearances at community festivals, shopping malls and other venues, in addition to Cyclone athletic events.

"'Eye on Cy' is an Iowa State pride- and spirit-building campaign, using Cy as the key spirit official," said trademark licensing officer Leesha Zimmerman. "We hope people around the state will rally around him.

"For employees of the university, if you feel good about where you work, we hope that translates into being pleased to wear more Cyclone apparel," she said.

The Eye on Cy campaign has several components of interest to Iowa State employees:

CyDays

Beginning Sept. 2, every Friday this year will be "CyDay" among Cyclone loyalists, including those on campus and in the Ames business community. Wear your cardinal and gold to show your spirit.

Cy will be out and about every Friday, including surprise visits on campus, to see what people are wearing. He'll have goodies for those sporting their Cyclone gear and "Cytificate" discount coupons for ISU merchandise at Campustown stores.

Cy's travels actually have begun -- though not just on Fridays. He was looking for Cyclone fans at Midnight Madness July 9 in Ames and the ribbon-cutting at Des Moines' new Wells Fargo Arena July 12. He helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Marshall County Fair July 13, stopped in Lake Mills July 27 to cheer on RAGBRAI riders and was spotted in Adel Aug. 13 for the annual sweet corn festival. And he hung out with Cyclone fans at the state fair Aug. 12 and 19.

Sept. 10 game day T-shirt

To build school pride (and discourage game day shirts with obscene words) the trademark licensing programs at Iowa State and the University of Iowa have developed a shirt panel for the Cyclone-Hawkeye football game Sept. 10 in Ames. Companies licensed to produce apparel for either school have received the panel and can use it on the front or back of a T-shirt. The panel contains photos of both Cy and Herky, standing with arms crossed, and the words, "Whose side are you on?" They'll be sold by retailers who stock Cyclone merchandise.

Oct. 8 game day packages

Fans of Cy can register to win one of three game day packages for the Iowa State-Baylor football game Oct. 8 at Jack Trice Stadium. Two first-prize packages include four game tickets, VIP parking and a football autographed by Cyclone head coach Dan McCarney. The grand prize includes 10 game tickets, VIP parking, autographed football, and tailgate snacks. The promotion runs through Sept. 19 at about a dozen Ames stores that sell Iowa State merchandise. It also has been picked up by retailers in the greater Des Moines and Iowa City areas, Wall of Fame in Council Bluffs and Sioux City; and For Heaven's Sake in Aplington.

More information about Eye on Cy is online at http://www.trademark.iastate.edu/eyeoncy.

The trademark licensing office is coordinating a multi-year "Eye on Cy" campaign to promote the university around the state and strengthen people's emotional ties to Iowa State.

"'Eye on Cy' is an Iowa State pride- and spirit-building campaign, using Cy as the key spirit official. We hope people around the state will rally around him."

Leesha Zimmerman