[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, we often hear about some of the things 
that are wrong with intercollegiate athletics and how they sometimes 
detract from the top priority of our colleges and universities, which 
is educating students.
  Let me point to an example of how excellence in undergraduate 
education and excellence in intercollegiate athletics can go hand-in-
hand, and it's from my home state of Iowa.
  Iowa State University is experiencing one of its most successful 
years ever in intercollegiate athletics.
  This year, Iowa State made history by being the first university in 
the Big 12 Conference or its predecessor conferences--the Big 8 and the 
Southwest Conferences--to win four basketball trophies in one season--
both men's and women's regular season and conference tournament 
championships.
  Both teams earned ISU record-high seedings in the NCAA Tournament, 
the men took a second seed and the women took a third and both did well 
in the tournament. The men advanced to the ``Elite Eight'' and the 
women to the ``Sweet Sixteen'' after an ``Elite Eight' appearance last 
year.
  Marcus Fizer became the schools' first-ever consensus first-team All-
American, and Stacy Frese and Angie Welle of the women's team were also 
All-America selections. Stacy Frese drew this honor for the second year 
in a row.
  The Cyclone wrestling team--led by two-time NCAA champion and 
tournament MVP Cael Sanderson--finished second in the nation.
  The women's gymnastics team won its first-ever Big 12 Conference 
Championship.
  These are just a few of Iowa State's 450 student-athletes, young 
people who are getting an education while exhibiting their special 
athletic skills.
  And just how are they using this opportunity?
  Here are some examples from last year because the final stats from 
this year aren't in, but I'm told they will be similar--or even better.
  Of the 450 student athletes 168, or 40 percent, made the Athletic 
Department's Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a ``B'' or better GPA 
and nearly 100 earned academic All-Big 12 recognition.
  This year, basketball player Paul Shirley, who majors in mechanical 
engineering, and Stacy Frese, a finance major, are again Academic All-
Americans.
  Iowa State student-athletes also lead the Big 12 in the most 
important statistic--their graduation rate.
  They are No. 1 in the Big 12 regarding their four-year graduation 
rates and No. 1 regarding their six-year graduation rates two of the 
past three reporting periods.
  Iowa State student athletes are also No. 1 in terms of overall 
graduation rate for student-athletes who stay in school for their 
entire eligibility with 9 of out 10 student athletes getting their 
degree.
  We are all very proud of the Cyclones this year for what they have 
done in competition, and in the classroom. I hope I have the 
opportunity to come to the floor and offer the same statistics and 
facts next year. Go Cyclones!
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas.

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