Kroeschell’s 36-Year Tenure At Iowa State Filled With Memories

(Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University)

Tom Kroeschell quietly began his career in Iowa State Athletics in 1985.

Max Urick was starting his third year as Iowa State’s Athletics Director. The Lied Recreation Center didn’t exist. The main administrative athletics structure was the Olsen Building, where on the west side stood a double-wide trailer, a place Kroeschell and the Iowa State sports information staff called home for six years.

A lot has changed in Kroeschell’s 36 years as a key member of the Iowa State Athletics program.

He’s witnessed amazing progress, historic victories and forged many friendships, documenting the feats of Cyclone student-athletes and teams along the way.

The knowledge and history Kroeschell possesses about everything Iowa State is immense.

Sadly, this wonderful chapter and fruitful relationship with ISU will come to a close when Kroeschell retires June 30.  

“It really is a kaleidoscope of feelings,” Kroeschell said. “What I am going to miss most are the people because that is the whole reason I got into this. The greatest thing about my job were the people I worked with every day who were like family to me. It was a privilege to work with the coaches and be involved in their programs. Will I miss the competitions? Yes, but I will miss all the wonderful people more.”

How it started

Kroeschell began his career in sports information as a student assistant at Drake.

“I was fortunate to be hired by Dave Williford at my alma mater,” Kroeschell said. “I was at Northwestern University before finding out there was an opening at Iowa State in the sports information office.”

A native of the suburbs of Chicago — Park Ridge, Ill., next to O’Hare International Airport — Kroeschell had Iowa State ties. Both his parents were Iowa State graduates and he spent many summers in Iowa with family and friends.

He also had an affinity for track and field, and the Cyclones were in the middle of an incredible run with Bill Bergan leading the program to conference titles and high national finishes.

It was a no-brainer to apply for the job.

“I was at Northwestern at the time and they were dropping its track and field program,” Kroeschell said. “I was at a track meet and ended up running into the Cyclone staff – Bill Bergan, Steve Lynn, Ron McEachran, Kevin Bourke – and just enjoyed talking with them. The position opened up and I came in here and interviewed. At Northwestern, I was making $13,000 a year and only got by because I was raiding my parents’ refrigerator. Iowa State offered $18,900 and I felt like a millionaire.”

Football, basketball, wrestling, track and field — you name it, Kroeschell helped cover it, bringing Cyclone fans closer to the action.

Kroeschell cherished the early days of his Cyclone tenure as an assistant sports information director from 1985-93. Maybe the office was a tad understaffed, but hard work was the recipe for success in a time before the internet and social media.

About that trailer? Kroeschell laughs now at all of the fun times he had in the “office.”

“I remember coming back home from a Big Eight Cross Country meet in Lawrence and it was late,” Kroeschell recalled. “I get to the trailer at 1:30 a.m., and I come in there and the place is just hopping with students. We shared it with the marketing staff and there were a lot of great memories. Coaches would come in all the time just to get away and chat. Students loved our big satellite dish and microwave while they worked.”

Tom Kroeschell talks to Assistant Athletics Director Dave Cox as public address announcer at a wrestling meet in the 1980s.

Taking the lead

One of ISU’s longest-tenured employees, Kroeschell took over as director of the sports information office in 1993, a position he held until he transitioned to Cyclones.tv in 2013.

He beams when counting all of his former staff and students who have built outstanding careers in athletics.

“It starts with Dave Starr, who hired me in 1985,” Kroeschell said. “We were two young guys and lived together in a house in West Ames. For a while there was just two of us in the office. My fellow assistants throughout my career were high quality people and I learned a lot from being around them.”

“We learned over time how to give our students the best experience possible,” Kroeschell added. “It is great now to see them with their families and working in all different professions. I am not going to take credit for their accomplishments. We had a very small staff. We needed their help. They were serving on the front lines, and at many schools they wouldn’t have been. I think they benefited from that, obviously. Working with students keeps you young and it was a joy to watch them grow. We also had some fun along the way.”

A story-teller at heart

With every title Kroeschell held in the athletics department, his incredible gift of storytelling shined through. For Kroeschell, it was all about highlighting the accomplishments of Cyclone student-athletes.

“One of the great things I had the chance to do was helping out Cyclones.tv and working under a pro like John Walters, who has done it every day for years,” Kroeschell said. “Producing documentaries was a pleasure, and what gives me the most satisfaction was telling the stories of people who are no longer here to tell them.”

One of the most difficult and tragic moments in Iowa State Athletics history occurred on Nov. 25, 1985. Kroeschell was awaiting the return of the women’s cross country team that only hours earlier exceeded all expectations by finishing runner-up at the 1985 NCAA Championships.

One of the three planes carrying the team members didn’t make it back, crashing in Des Moines and killing all seven individuals on board, including three runners – Sheryl Maahs, Julie Rose, Susan Baxter –both coaches – Ron Renko and Pay Moynihan – and pilot Burton Watkins and student trainer Stephanie Streit.

The crash devastated the Iowa State community and changed how Kroeschell would view the ups and downs of his long career. In 2019, Kroeschell, with Rod Bodholdt and Jeff Grummer of B&G Productions, produced an amazing documentary “Forever True” to honor their legacy.

“I was only here for a couple months when the tragedy happened,” Kroeschell said. “To have the documentary come out in 2019, it kind of bookends my career. Over time, I got to know the amazing teammates of those who perished. I felt it was my obligation to tell the story about the individuals who were lost. What they were like and who they were. That was really important to me.”

Witnessing Cyclone history

Kroeschell witnessed so much in his time in Ames.

He’s been a part of national championship teams, had a front-row seat to many of the greatest moments in Cyclone history and assisted in the implementation of many outstanding projects.

Many programs and teams made amazing transformations in Kroeschell’s employment with the school, especially in women’s basketball and volleyball.

“I got to watch Bill Fennelly and Christy Johnson-Lynch build their programs,” Kroeschell said. “Today’s Iowa State students have known nothing but winning for Cyclone women’s hoops and volleyball their entire lives.”

Kroeschell highlights

• After covering the 1986 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Kroeschell drove to Minneapolis to watch Johnny Orr’s Cyclone basketball team defeat Michigan, 72-69, and advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
• He was matside when Bill Kelly pinned Iowa’s Brad Penrith at 126 pounds to lock up the 1987 NCAA wrestling title for the Cyclones.
• He was at the finish line when John Nuttall cruised to an individual title that helped the Cyclones earn their first NCAA Men’s Cross Country Championship in 1989. Kroeschell was in Arkansas when ISU won it all again in 1994. He was media coordinator for the 1995 and 2000 NCAA Cross country meets hosted by Iowa State.
• Kroeschell was lead announcer for the Drake Relays from 1989-2006. He announced the Iowa prep track meet from 1981-2005. He was the track announcer for the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Track and Field Championships.
• One of his greatest personal thrills was serving as a press officer for the U.S. team in the 1991 IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
• He successfully promoted and escorted All-American Troy Davis, the first player in NCAA history to record back-to-back 2,000-yard rushing seasons, to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City … twice (1995 and 1996).
• Kroeschell had a major role in the creation of the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame before its first class in 1997.
• He was in Kansas City in 2000 when both the men’s and women’s basketball teams won Big 12 Conference tournament titles.
• As Cael Sanderson wrapped up a perfect undefeated wrestling career (159-0) in 2002, Kroeschell was the man promoting one of the greatest feats in collegiate sports.
• He was head coach Paul Rhoads’ sports information director the day the Cyclones shocked the world in 2011 with a 37-31 double-overtime upset of No. 2 Oklahoma State, the highest-ranking win in school history.
• Covered Thomas Pollard and Kelly Naumann at the 2016 IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships in Poland.
• Wrote and co-produced Cyclones.tv documentaries on Jack Trice, The Dirty Thirty and 100 years of Iowa State wrestling.
• Served as Cyclones.tv and ESPN+ play-by-play announcer for Iowa State soccer and wrestling.

Kroeschell and Cyclone national champion wrestler Kyven Gadson discuss strategy on a Cyclone wrestling television broadcast.

Built from the ground up

In Kroeschell’s estimation, one of the most important figures in his career was Dan McCarney, Iowa State’s football coach from 1995-2006.

Kroeschell was McCarney’s sports information liaison for all 12 years of his tenure at the school. When McCarney inherited a winless program in 1995, the school had only had two winning seasons since 1978.

McCarney was dealt a major reclamation project. Watching McCarney — fueled by determination, hard work and perseverance — dig the Cyclone football program out of a major hole, was one of Kroeschell’s biggest thrills.

“Dan McCarney’s herculean effort and will to lift this program, people and department out of a down period is significant,” Kroeschell said. “Remember, we had five losing seasons in a row and we didn’t get there until his sixth season. Coach had to forge ahead despite all the obstacles built around our program. He kept working his way past all the doubters every day for five years.”

McCarney leaned on Kroeschell’s experience and knowledge.

“Tom’s contributions to Iowa State are countless,” McCarney said. “I am sure it was that way before and that way after, but all I can vouch for is my years, which is a pretty good chunk of time, is that he was my security blanket of professionalism on how to handle things in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Tom was always a great sounding board.”

McCarney added more.

“I always wanted to create a standard and to get everyone to live up to that standard,” McCarney recollected. “Tom had a high standard in everything he did, how he dealt with the media and how he dealt with me and our players. He was such a great example in how to handle things. He was just one of those guys that was humble, didn’t want to take any of the credit and always wanted to be in the background. Yet, he made a major contribution to our efforts in bringing respect and credibility back to Iowa State football, and he did it all behind the scenes. He is one of those guys that wanted to give more, but expect less in return.”

Kroeschell watches from the sidelines at the Iowa State-Army football game in 2005.

The turning point

The first big sign of McCarney’s progress occurred in 1998. Kroeschell had never witnessed an Iowa State victory over Iowa in football in his first 14 years at the school. In fact, the Hawkeyes had won 15-straight games in the series, and the majority of them were not even close.

That all changed in 1998 when a 28-point underdog Cyclone team went to Kinnick Stadium and dominated Iowa in a 27-9 triumph. There were many demons exorcised that day, and Kroeschell felt the momentum turning in favor of the Cyclones.

“September 12, 1998. What a day,” Kroeschell noted. “People have to remember, it wasn’t just that we beat Iowa, we hadn’t won on the road for seven years. I was at the last road win, and all the ones in-between, and then to have it happen in such a stunning fashion on the field of your instate rival is obviously unforgettable.”

Two years later, ISU’s incredible turnaround in football was complete. The Cyclones tied the school record for wins in a season (9-3) and culminated the year with the school’s first-ever bowl victory, defeating Pittsburgh (37-29) in the 2000 Insight.com Bowl.

Kroeschell remembers greeting the team upon its arrival in Phoenix with a heart full of emotions.

“I was standing on the tarmac in Phoenix when the plane landed because I went out a day ahead,” Kroeschell reflected. “I am with all the people in their Insight.com and Fiesta Bowl jackets, and when the team landed, Coach Mac was the first off the plane and he was shaking hands and I started to get tears in my eyes. I will never forget that feeling.”

McCarney was appreciative of Kroeschell’s efforts and was thrilled he savored the historic moment.

“Tom was in the trenches with us,” McCarney said. “When the program is winless, there are lot more issues than just your record. Tom knew that. He knew how hard that climb was. He witnessed it and he contributed to the climb. That’s what made it so gratifying and so exciting.”

A champion for student-athletes

One of the most challenging and exciting times in Kroeschell’s career was navigating the media frenzy during Cael Sanderson’s quest for perfection in wrestling from 1998-2002. The four-time national champion was attempting to do the impossible, and Kroeschell’s calm demeanor and professionalism played a major role in Sanderson’s journey.

“The most remarkable thing about what Cael Sanderson did was that he was never in trouble in a match,” Kroeschell said. “He always took control and beat everyone so soundly. I was lucky because Cael was very accommodating and a very good person to work with. I was so fortunate and it was a huge factor in our relationship. We all have worked with people who are easy and those where it’s a chore. It’s a job. Cael, Troy Davis and Lisa (Koll) Uhl — three of our greatest athletes in school history — were all charming and delightful individuals. I was the fortunate one to be around such great people.”

A gratifying moment for Kroeschell was in 2017 when the Cyclone student-athletes selected him the winner of the Above and Beyond Award, given annually to a person who shows commitment in promoting and assisting in the welfare of ISU athletes.

“It was special because the honoree is chosen by the student-athletes themselves,” Kroeschell said.

Kroeschell and Troy Davis reunite in 2007 at Davis’ Iowa State Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Leaving behind a legacy

The current landscape of Iowa State Athletics is a little different. The outstanding improvements in facilities, staff, overall sports success and resources are astounding.

It’s no secret to Iowa State fans, and Kroeschell, the impetus behind this incredible resurgence.

“I have worked with a lot of athletics directors and I know the history behind most of them, including those in charge before I was here and going way back,” Kroeschell said. “Jamie Pollard is the most accomplished athletics director in the history of the school, and there have been some good ones. To see all the changes and improvements that have occurred, and to have the football team win a Fiesta Bowl, it’s kind of surreal. Jamie brought us through the 2008 Great Recession and COVID-19 and gave us stability through those crises, and that I think is his greatest accomplishment.”

There are many other individuals responsible for Kroeschell’s longevity.

“I worked for people who were vested in my success,” Kroeschell said. “Pete Taylor, Max Urick and Elaine Hieber.  They wanted me to succeed and I could count on their support. Each is rightfully in the Iowa State Hall of Fame. They earned it. I also worked with a media filled with professionals. There were a few rough patches here and there but I truly enjoyed working with them. I will miss their company. They were pros.”

As Kroeschell closes out the final months of his proud tenure with Cyclone Athletics, he is keenly aware he wouldn’t have made it this long without an incredible support group around him.

“I want to thank my staff,” Kroeschell said. “I was so fortunate to have these talented and dedicated people working for me and for Iowa State. Lastly, I want to thank my family. When you go home, in this job, you are living in it all the time – the ups and downs of the programs – and I couldn’t come home to a better base. My wife, Beth, and my two kids (Liza and Robbie) supply me with my greatest memories. Each is truly wonderful in their own right and I am thrilled by their accomplishments and braced by their love.”

Like his entrance, Kroeschell will exit quietly remaining behind the scenes deflecting praise and admiration toward the outstanding coaches and student-athletes he covered.  

Iowa State Athletics is in a better place now. Many individuals are responsible for that, including Kroeschell, whose influence should be affirmed and underscored.