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ISU Tailgate Tour moved to Bettendorf

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By Steve Batterson | Friday, May 16, 2008 |

The Iowa State Tailgate Tour’s stop in the Quad-Cities next week is heading to higher ground.

Wet conditions left behind by recent Mississippi River flooding at Davenport’s LeClaire Park have prompted ISU officials to move their tailgate-style outing scheduled for Thursday to a site adjacent to the Mel Foster Realty office at Cumberland Square in Bettendorf.

Iowa State hosted its

first Quad-Cities tailgate stop a year ago at LeClaire Park, a spot ISU director of special events Ryan McGuire said provided a perfect atmosphere for the collection of tents, interactive games and inflatable attractions for kids that Iowa State took on the road for the first time last spring.

“We got to a point where we had to make a decision and this seemed to be the way to go,” McGuire said. “The City of Davenport has been great in assisting us as have the people at Mel Foster. We can’t control the river, but we do know that families will still be able to come and have a good time.”

The tailgate event runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.

Last year’s tailgate tour — which replaced a series of banquets across the state — allowed fans an opportunity to meet Cyclones coaches, athletes and administrators in a more relaxed atmosphere.

“The response we received a year ago was even more than we expected,” McGuire said. “Our fans liked the opportunity to bring their family to an event, have some fun and meet our coaches and student-athletes. What we’re looking forward to now is seeing if we can grow the event.”

Members of the Iowa State band will accompany the tour for the first time this year, something McGuire expects to add to the tailgate atmosphere. Food and Cyclones gear will be available, and a number of door prizes will be given away.

ISU football coach Gene Chizik, basketball coaches Greg McDermott and Bill Fennelly and director of athletics Jamie Pollard are scheduled to appear and will speak during a short program that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Athletes scheduled to attend include football players Mike Brandtner, Euseph Messiah, Jesse Smith and Mike Knapp, golfers Katelynn Hogenson and Ana North and women’s basketball players Toccara Ross, Nicky Wieben and Jocelyn Anderson.

In addition to the tailgate event, ISU coaches, mascot Cy and athletics department staff members are scheduled to visit Hayes Elementary School, the Handicapped Development Center and the Friendly House in Davenport during their daylong visit to the Quad-Cities.

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.