In Game
Hilton Coliseum has earned the moniker “Hilton Magic” over the years, due to the Cyclones penchant for pulling off upsets at home, and you’ll have a magical experience when attending a Cyclones basketball game.
Iowa State fans have a lot of pride and passion for their team, which can be seen by the incredible atmosphere found inside Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones student section, known as Cyclone Alley, does an excellent job getting after opponents and flustering them. The alumni sections are also very vocal in their support and when you combine the fan support with the pep band’s fantastic performance you get Hilton Magic.
It’s not just the atmosphere that makes attending a Cyclones game an enticing proposition. Hilton Coliseum is also home to several tributes and exhibits that are worth exploring. Inside the arena you’ll find a statue of the program’s winningest coach as well as a wide variety of memorabilia, so make sure to arrive early to take it all in.
Additionally, Ames is home to a thriving downtown that offers plenty to eat and drink before or after the game. Cy’s Roost and the Mucky Duck Pub along with many others are fan favorites and provide excellent places to hang out before or after the game.
You can’t go wrong making the trip to Ames where you’ll likely experience some Hilton Magic making you want to come back again soon.
Things to check out
Banners
Inside Hilton Coliseum you’ll see many banners from your seat. The banners honor the Cyclones retired numbers, including Fred Hoiberg’s #32 and Jeff Grayer’s #44, as well as the Cyclones team accomplishments. Take a peek at the banners to remember all of your favorite Cyclones players and moments.
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Johnny Orr Statue
Make sure to stop by the Johnny Orr statue and get a picture with the legendary Cyclones coach. Orr is the winningest coach in Iowa State history and led them to the 1986 Sweet Sixteen making him one of the most renowned coaches in Cyclones history.
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Memorabilia
While seeing the Orr statue take a minute to enjoy the memorabilia on display nearby. Here you’ll see jerseys and other artifacts, so make sure to check it out.
Cy the Cardinal
The Cardinal has been the proud mascot of Iowa State University since the 1950’s and has won two national mascot challenges: the CBS Most Dominant College Mascot and the Capital One Bowl National Mascot of the year. Cy can often be seen wandering around Iowa State’s campus as well as Ames, Iowa, taking pictures with students and local Cyclone fans.
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Pep Band
The Iowa State pep band entertains the crowd and creates a festive in-game atmosphere. The band plays a variety of school songs as well as pop songs such as “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, so enjoy the pep band when attending a Cyclones game.
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Hilton Magic
The term “Hilton Magic” was coined in 1989 and is an apt moniker for Hilton Coliseum, which has produced several incredible upsets over the years. Hilton Coliseum gives the Cyclones an outstanding home court advantage, so don’t expect a win if you're a fan of the opposing team.
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Cyclone Alley
The Cyclones student section is one of the most rabid in all of college basketball and is one of the key components to Hilton Magic. The students camp out before big games to get the best seats and provide excellent support for their team, so enjoy the fantastic atmosphere they create when attending an Iowa State game.
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Fight Songs
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Iowa State Fight Song
Oh, we will fight, fight, fight for Iowa State
And may her colors ever fly.
Oh, we will fight with might for Iowa State
With the will to do or die!
Rah, Rah, Rah
Loyal sons forever true
And we will fight that battle through.
And when we hit the line we’ll hit it hard,
every yard for I-S-U! -
Celebration” by Cool & the Gang
Played after a Cyclones victory
Yahoo!
Celebration
Yahoo!
This is your celebrationCelebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)There’s a party goin’ on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with youCome on now, celebration
Let’s all celebrate and have a good time
Celebration
We gonna celebrate and have a good timeIt’s time to come together
It’s up to you, what’s your pleasure?
Everyone around the world come on!Yahoo!
It’s a celebration
Yahoo!Celebrate good times, come on!
(It’s a celebration)
Celebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)There’s a party goin’ on right here
A dedication to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate and party with youCome on now, celebration
Let’s all celebrate and have a good time, yeah yeah
Celebration
We gonna celebrate and have a good timeIt’s time to come together
It’s up to you, what’s your pleasure?
Everyone around the world come on!Yahoo!
It’s a celebration
Yahoo!
It’s a celebrationCelebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate come on now)
Celebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)We’re gonna have a good time tonight
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right
We’re gonna have a good time tonight
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right, babyWe’re gonna have a good time tonight
(Celebration)
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right
We’re gonna have a good time tonight
(Celebration)
Let’s celebrate, it’s all rightYahoo!
Yahoo!Celebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on!
(It’s a celebration)Celebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)
(Come on and celebrate tonight)
Celebrate good times, come on!
(‘Cause everything’s gonna be alright, let’s celebrate)Celebrate good times, come on!
(Let’s celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on! -
"Phfft! You Were Gone"
Down here on the farm the weather gets messy
Laying around with nothin’ to do
When you went away, you took my cow Bessie
I miss her darling, more than I miss youYou took off your leg, your wig and your eye glass
And you shoud’ve seen the look on my face
I wanted to kiss, I wanted to hug you
But you were scattered all over the placeChorus:Where, where, are you tonight?
Why did you leave me here all alone?
I searched the world over,
And thought I found true love.
You met another and
Phht! you were gone.I know that you loved me, here’s my way of knowing
The proofs hanging out right there on the line
When I see the snow and feel the wind blowing
Your nighties hugging them long johns of mineThe noises you made at our supper table
Your habits, my dear, were surely absurd
But how many times do I have to tell you
Soup is a dish to be seen and not heardChorus:Where, oh where, are you tonight?
Why did you leave me here all alone?
I searched the world over,
And thought I found true love.
You met another and
Phht! you were gone.Remember you phoned me a-sobbin’ and cryin’
The dog bit your maw, and drug her around
You said she looked pale and thought she was dying
I said “Don’t worry, I’ll buy a new hound.”I had six kids and you had eleven
And we had a boy, and they grew like flowers
I wish you’d come back, without you ain’t heaven
‘Cause your kids and my kids are beatin’ up oursChorus:Where, oh where, are you tonight?
Why did you leave me here all alone?
I searched the world over,
And thought I found true love.
You met another and
Phht! you were goneI searched the world over,
And thought I found true love.
You met another and
Phht! you were gone… -
"That’s All Folks” from Looney Tunes
That’s All Folks!
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“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
In addition to its popularity at Iowa State football games, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” is also sung after big victories in every sport. If you attend a major upset at Hilton Coliseum prepare to belt out “Sweet Caroline” on your way out of the arena.
