IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

ABOUT IOWA STATE

Nestled in Ames with an enrollment of 31,105 students, Iowa State has fielded competitive athletic programs since the university's founding in 1858. The Cyclones compete across 17 varsity sports within the Big 12 Conference, one of college athletics' most prominent football and basketball conferences. This breadth of Olympic and sport-specific offerings reflects Iowa State's commitment to providing athletic opportunities across both traditional revenue sports and Olympic disciplines.

Iowa State's athletic portfolio spans major revenue programs in football and men's basketball alongside substantial women's athletics initiatives. The program operates simultaneous men's and women's teams in cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis, indicating institutional emphasis on gender equity in athletic offerings. This dual-gender structure across multiple sports distinguishes Iowa State among regional peers in the Big 12 footprint.

The Cyclones maintain distinctive Olympic sport programs including men's swimming and diving, women's lacrosse, and co-ed contributions to collegiate athletic diversity. Baseball, softball, and volleyball round out the 17-sport roster, positioning Iowa State as a comprehensive athletic department competing across multiple championship-qualifying venues throughout the academic year.