Fanatic: Stories From 20 Years Inside Iowa State

“Fanatic: Stories From 20 Years Inside Iowa State” is an inside look at the people, moments, and decisions that have shaped Cyclone athletics in the 21st century.

Written by Cyclone Fanatic co-founder Chris Williams, the book blends exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections to chronicle two decades of Cyclone football and basketball.
Williams revisits pivotal events such as the “Big 12 Missile Crisis,” the coaching eras of Dan McCarney, Paul Rhoads, Matt Campbell, Fred Hoiberg, Greg McDermott, and T.J. Otzelberger, and the evolution of Hilton Magic for a new generation. Along the way, he explores the lingering whatifs and big questions Cyclone fans have carried for years: Why didn’t McDermott win in Ames? How close was Iowa State to a different path in realignment?
More than a retelling of games and seasons, Fanatic is a reflection on what it means to be a fan, including the joy, heartbreak, and community of living through the highs and lows of college sports.

 

For longtime fans, it offers celebration, nostalgia, and context. For newer fans, it provides a roadmap to under-standing the turning points that still define Cyclone Nation today.

“Chris covered our program with respect and passion. I’m excited for fans to read some of the inside stories from his time chronicling Iowa State. Fanatic is the perfect gift for any Cyclone fan!” - FRED HOIBERG