Jack Trice and the Nazi Olympiad

Two names. One carved deep into the heart of Nazi Germany. One carved deep into the American Heartland …

The historical record is full of many connecting threads that help flesh out, somewhat tangentially, the forgotten life of Iowa State University icon Jack Trice. Small glimmers of his legacy are caught in the parallels of related stories such as the one that follows.

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The yellow lipstick of Jack Trice

jack-trice-yellow1

In 2014, I made the exciting discovery of an existing gold Iowa State University football jersey, worn by Jack Trice’s teammate Ira Young during the infamous 1923 season. Along with my previous story “The enigma of Jack Trice’s gold jersey,” these pieces of evidence laid out the compelling case for Jack’s iconic Iowa State jersey being gold during his only varsity season in Ames.

Case solved, right?

Not so fast. To my surprise, I’ve met some people who simply cannot believe that Jack Trice was wearing a gold jersey in the famous Iowa State pictures. The jersey was too dark and had too much contrast. Lending to the confusion, during the 2013 football season, Iowa State honored Jack by wearing throwback uniforms, but they were a deep cardinal color.

To conclusively show Jack Trice was wearing gold, let’s go beyond typical newspaper articles and begin with a slight detour across the Atlantic Ocean nearly 200 years ago.

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Robot Cy meets West Virginia

Robot-Cy-ISU-WVU-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

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WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

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Just like that, the Cyclone squad will travel to Morgantown this weekend for the last clash of the 2015 football season. Last week, finally, FINALLY, the Kansas State Wildcats were headed for certain defeat before the necromancer Bill Snyder remembered his voodoo doll and pins. A brutal 90 seconds later, the curtain was unfortunately up on Paul Rhoads’ time at Iowa State. Robot Cy did manage to escape Manhattan with the Voodoo Skulls power up from Robot Willie, but that’s small consolation. Turning to the West Virginia Mountaineers, they beat ISU 37 – 24 last year in Ames–this sounds familiar–because ISU scored just 3 points after halftime. The year before was a thrilling 52 – 44 triple overtime victory, which saw ISU overcome the largest deficit in school history with 24 points in the fourth quarter.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Mountaineer?

If Robot Mountaineer used the best parts of West Virginia football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some West Virginia history.

Robot-Cy-WVU-mascot

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Robot Cy meets Kansas State

Robot-Cy-ISU-KSU-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

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WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

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The question hung in the air all week leading up to the Oklahoma State game. Could there be a repeat of 2011? During the game, fans and players could feel the magic of the monumental upset lingering around the fringes, but the game ultimately slipped away at the very end. Robot Cy salvaged the evening by defeating Robot Pistol Pete and securing the Silver Star power up, which will be useful in the future (perhaps as soon as this basketball season against the Jayhawks). These final two games against Kansas State and West Virginia will probably determine the future of the ISU coaching staff. Last year’s game in Ames ended in a 32 – 28 KSU comeback after ISU failed to get a crucial first down, just one measly yard, to preserve the victory. The last road game in Manhattan was an anomaly as Collin Klein led KSU to a 41 – 7 thumping, but every other game in the Paul Rhoads era has been relatively close, yet with the same outcome. Both teams have struggled this season and last I checked, KSU was playing a dance team member at QB.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Willie Wildcat?

If Robot Willie Wildcat used the best parts of Kansas State football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some Kansas State history.

Robot-Cy-KSU-mascot

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Robot Cy meets Oklahoma State

Robot-Cy-ISU-OSU-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

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WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

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As expected, Iowa State quickly took the lead against Oklahoma in the highly anticipated game last week at Norman. The rest is a blur. Robot Cy also nabbed the coveted Double Trouble power up from Robot Boomer Sooner while they were Boomering their Sooner. Thankfully after facing TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma in close succession, the schedule finally eases off with undefeated Oklahoma State coming to Ames with a sterling 9 – 0 record and shiny # 5 ranking. We all know about 2011 and in 2013, they extracted revenge on ISU with a 58 – 27 win. Last year, the OSU win resulted in ISU AD Jamie Pollard sharing some, uhh, strong opinions in the post game press conference.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Pistol Pete?

If Robot Pistol Pete used the best parts of OSU football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some OSU history.

Robot-Cy-OSU-mascot

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Robot Cy meets Oklahoma

Robot-Cy-ISU-Oklahoma-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

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WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

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Iowa State’s last game against Texas marked the return of the powerful Cyclone team that sat on top of the Big 12 standings all the way at the beginning of October. Robot Cy’s visit with Robot Hook ‘Em was equally fruitful and the athletic department should be receiving some pixelated money bags soon. Looking to the game this weekend, ISU faces off against #14 Oklahoma in Norman. Oklahoma clobbered ISU 59 – 14 last year–an outcome surely as shocking as pumpkin lattes in the fall. But clearly this is a new era. Joel Lanning is undefeated as the starting QB. Todd Sturdy is undefeated as offensive coordinator. Paul Rhoads is unde . . . err, proud. Most crucially: the last time Texas was shut out by an unranked team, it was 1961–the same year that Iowa State beat Oklahoma in Norman. Just saying.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Boomer & Sooner?

If Robot Boomer & Sooner used the best parts of Oklahoma football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some Oklahoma history.

Robot-Cy-Oklahoma-Mascot

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Robot Cy meets Texas

Robot-Cy-ISU-Texas-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

_____________

WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

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In just a few days, the Texas Longhorns will bring their burnt pumpkin uniforms back to Ames for a game full of goblins and intrigue on All Hallows’ Eve. The past week has been a sedate one for Iowa State after they lost to Baylor in a swim meet 45 – 27, despite being short a few key pieces, such as the whole defense. Robot Cy’s visit to Waco was more successful as he returned with the fancy Disco Balls power up. Two years ago, the Cyclones beat Texas on a last-minute fumble recovery by Jeremiah George, but the lovely Big 12 referees reversed the victory. Last year was another wild affair with Texas ultimately winning 48 – 45 on a game-winning field goal after two long passes in the final seconds. This is the most interesting ISU game in some time due to the ascension of Joel Lanning and the deaccession of Baby Mangino.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Hook ‘Em?

If Robot Hook ‘Em used the best parts of Texas football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some Texas history.

Robot-Cy-Texas-mascot

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Robot Cy meets Baylor

Robot-Cy-ISU-Baylor-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

_____________

WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

_____________

In a decent effort against TCU last week, the Iowa State football team looked like they were cooking up a vintage Rhoads upset, but sadly fizzled in the second half. Robot Cy had a better weekend, picking up the coveted Ice Freeze power up from Super Frog. This Saturday, the Cyclones will travel to Waco to face off against #2 Baylor and their spinning slot machine offense. Last week, Baylor beat West Virginia 62 – 38 behind another superlative effort from human glitch Corey Coleman, Baylor’s star wide receiver. The last time ISU played in Waco, the Bears eased by 71 – 7, but not before a furious ISU comeback with three minutes left eventually ran out of time. Last year, the game was closer but still another ISU loss: 49 – 28.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Bruiser?

If Robot Bruiser used the best parts of Baylor football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some Baylor history.

Robot-Cy-Baylor mascot

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Robot Cy meets TCU

Robot-Cy-ISU-TCU-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

_____________

WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

_____________

This week our beloved Cyclones are headed back home to the friendly confines of Jack Trice Stadium to receive the undefeated TCU team, currently ranked #3 in the country. The Horned Frogs beat Kansas State last week in a tense game decided during the final minutes. Last Saturday, as we predicted here, the Cyclones found the Texas Tech team completely gassed. Unfortunately, this occurred after the Red Raiders had gained 776 yards in a record-setting performance as they cruised to a 66 – 31 win. (Luckily Robot Cy remains undefeated after gathering the Ghost Riders power up in Lubbock.) The Cyclones kept it pretty close in the TCU game last year, losing in a 55 – 3 squeaker. Perhaps TCU will overlook the ISU squad again this year.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Super Frog?

If Robot Super Frog used the best parts of TCU football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some TCU history.

Robot-Cy-TCU-mascot

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Robot Cy meets Texas Tech

Robot-Cy-ISU-TT-WRNL

(Story originally posted on SB Nation’s ISU site: Wide Right & Natty Lite.)

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WRNL is proud to present nine weekly articles from Kagavi leading up to the official release of The Adventures of Robot Cy, a fictional 8-bit video game trailer that never was.

In a faraway futuristic time, college football has been taken over by robot mascots. Join Robot Cy as he travels through many thrilling levels to find out who is behind this nefarious plot!

Every week during the conference season, Kagavi will preview the ISU football game using this project as inspiration by asking what power ups could Robot Cy gain by defeating the other Big 12 robot mascots?

_____________

The familiar rites of fall are always comforting: apple cider, carving pumpkins, autumn foliage, the powerful Iowa State football team in first place of the Big 12 Conference. Fresh off conquering Robot Jayhawk (and getting the Golden Horseshoes), the Cyclones are headed to Lubbock to face off against Texas Tech, which will be the “featured” game on Fox Sports Net channel again. The Cyclones almost beat them last year, but–get your fainting couches ready–a couple of missed field goals doomed ISU in the 34 – 31 loss. So far this year, the Texas Tech team has run the equivalent of nine ultra marathons simply trying to keep up with TCU and Baylor in recent games. ISU just may find the Red Raiders completely gassed, or the game could be over after the first quarter.

But what if Robot Cy was facing off against Robot Raider Red?

If Robot Raider Red used the best parts of Texas Tech football history to inspire a power up, what would it be? Let’s explore some Texas Tech history.

Robot-Cy-Texas-Tech-mascot

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