BOB ATTENDS CYCLONE TAILGATE TOUR

Currently in Belton MO (Low 56 Partly Sunny High 83) 

The 2026 Cyclone Tailgate Tour was the 20th annual event. 

For one week in May there is an afternoon and evening session involving the voice of the Cyclones John Walters, coaches and the Athletic Director Jamie Pollard. They travel from event to event in the Cyclone Tailgate Tour bus.

For the previous 19 events Bob was either working or we were fulltiming in our RV far, far away. Since we have hung up our RV keys Bob decided it was time to attend his first event at Curate in Des Moines. It was a must see event this year since there are a lot of new head and assistant coaches this year.

Not sure how the event would go so Bob got there early Monday afternoon after visiting family over the weekend and breakfast at the Waveland Cafe West in Booneville. Getting there early he got a great parking place. He sat at a table and for the most part was a people watcher. Once the event started some of the coaches walked around the room chatting with tables and some held court at a table in the back and the lines formed. Cy also worked the room so Bob took a selfie.

Once the coaches finished interacting with the crowd they collected at the front of the room with the MC John Walters and AD Jamie Pollard.

Each coach gave an update on their teams: an entirely new football coaching staff headed by Jimmy Rogers with mostly a new roster of about 70 new players; a new wrestling organization headed by former head coach Kevin Dresser with both men's and women's wrestling teams with new coaches, Brent Metcalf for the men, Alli St. John for the women; 9 new players (7 transfers and 2 frosh) and 2 new coaches for women's basketball headed by Bill Fennelly; Christy Johnson (volleyball) and TJ (men's basketball) also gave updates; Jamie Pollard (Athletic Director) gave an update on CyTown and the department in general.

Bob had a great time and when he does this again, say next year, he'll probably try to attend an evening session since it is 2 hours long and the 1 hour afternoon session left him wanting more.

Also in attendance was the CyHawk Tropy proving once and for all it's a Cyclone State.

Till next time,

Bob and Jo