‘Boys Will Be Boys’ – NCAA Concludes Investigation of Wresting Melee in Ames, Iowa
Collin Maguire/Iowa State Daily
December 7, 2021
Indianapolis – The NCAA has completed its investigation of the bizarre scuffle that broke out between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones wrestling teams at the conclusion of their dual meet Sunday night. The NCAA’s finding? The skirmish was little more than a heated competition for the affection of a member of the opposite sex, and a territorial response to defend her honor.
As is customary during the annual “Cy-Hawk” dual between longtime intrastate rivals, tension abounded throughout the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa that evening. Fans and wrestlers alike were feeling the adrenaline flow in response to resuming the rivalry that had been suspended during last year’s pandemic-shortened season. The coaching staffs seemed especially amped, with enough energy on display to supply the state’s power grid for days on end. Although there were several “after the whistle” altercations between wrestlers throughout the dual, it was the action of a coach at the conclusion of the last match that caused bedlam to break loose.
Upon that final whistle, Iowa Hawkeye Associate Head Coach Terry Brands sprinted across the arena floor into the Iowa State bench area, where he was immediately surrounded by Cyclone wrestlers and coaches. The Hawkeye wrestlers and remaining coaches soon followed, with a shoving, shouting, and finger-pointing match ensuing.
According to NCAA President Mark Emmert, the root of the conflict was Iowa State’s female trainer. Apparently, the tall, attractive blonde had caught the eye of the Iowa coaches, and they became uncontrollably enamored. Terry Brands, who is not exactly known for having a lot of self-control while on the wrestling floor, was especially infatuated. When he charged into the Cyclone bench area, it was not for the purpose of starting a fight but, rather, to be the first to ask the trainer for her phone number.
According to one source not authorized to speak on the subject, the Iowa Hawkeye coaches were smack-talking one another all evening, jockeying for a position of superiority in their focus on the trainer.
“They were going at it all night,” said one Hawkeye wrestler. “And it was kind of a problem, too. With them so distracted with one-upping each other and showing off their hamster-dance skills for the trainer, the task of babysitting [Hawkeye 133-lber] Austin [DeSanto] throughout the dual fell upon us wrestlers. I mean, we kind of have our own responsibilities during competition, we shouldn’t have to take on the coaches’ job, too.”
Another source indicated there is now real tension among the coaches, and especially between Head Coach Tom Brands and his twin brother Terry. While Tom was obligated to stand matside to greet Hawkeye heavyweight Tony Cassioppi at the conclusion of his match, Terry took advantage of the timing to be the first to go for the trainer while all other eyes were on the mat. Apparently, Tom has taken Terry’s actions personally. And Volunteer Assistant Coach Bobby Telford, who was standing with Tom to greet Cassioppi, is holding a grudge, too.
Video footage from several different angles captured most of the action at the Cyclone bench. Immediately after the final whistle, Terry Brands could be seen bolting in that direction. Cyclone Assistant Coach Derek St. John body-checked Terry in an attempt to block his access to the trainer, who was being escorted quickly off the floor by security staff. Terry was then swarmed by the opposing wrestlers and staff, which is when Telford and the Hawkeye wrestlers rushed upon the scene, soon followed by Tom.
Terry managed to slip out of the dogpile and could be seen sprinting back-and-forth, crazed, behind the scorer’s table, apparently trying to figure out the best way to get back to the Cyclone bench area and to the trainer. By that time, however, she was off the floor and being shuttled to an administrative office. Terry eventually circled around and joined the tussle from the back side. At one point in the video, Tom and Terry grab ahold of one another, and the latter can be heard screaming “You don’t like tough romancing!!!”
As disturbing as the incident seems, no punches were thrown, and no one was physically injured. On that basis, the NCAA is not planning to take disciplinary action. “Boys will be boys,” concluded Emmert with a shrug.
Collin Maguire/Iowa State Daily
December 7, 2021
Indianapolis – The NCAA has completed its investigation of the bizarre scuffle that broke out between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones wrestling teams at the conclusion of their dual meet Sunday night. The NCAA’s finding? The skirmish was little more than a heated competition for the affection of a member of the opposite sex, and a territorial response to defend her honor.
As is customary during the annual “Cy-Hawk” dual between longtime intrastate rivals, tension abounded throughout the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa that evening. Fans and wrestlers alike were feeling the adrenaline flow in response to resuming the rivalry that had been suspended during last year’s pandemic-shortened season. The coaching staffs seemed especially amped, with enough energy on display to supply the state’s power grid for days on end. Although there were several “after the whistle” altercations between wrestlers throughout the dual, it was the action of a coach at the conclusion of the last match that caused bedlam to break loose.
Upon that final whistle, Iowa Hawkeye Associate Head Coach Terry Brands sprinted across the arena floor into the Iowa State bench area, where he was immediately surrounded by Cyclone wrestlers and coaches. The Hawkeye wrestlers and remaining coaches soon followed, with a shoving, shouting, and finger-pointing match ensuing.
According to NCAA President Mark Emmert, the root of the conflict was Iowa State’s female trainer. Apparently, the tall, attractive blonde had caught the eye of the Iowa coaches, and they became uncontrollably enamored. Terry Brands, who is not exactly known for having a lot of self-control while on the wrestling floor, was especially infatuated. When he charged into the Cyclone bench area, it was not for the purpose of starting a fight but, rather, to be the first to ask the trainer for her phone number.
According to one source not authorized to speak on the subject, the Iowa Hawkeye coaches were smack-talking one another all evening, jockeying for a position of superiority in their focus on the trainer.
“They were going at it all night,” said one Hawkeye wrestler. “And it was kind of a problem, too. With them so distracted with one-upping each other and showing off their hamster-dance skills for the trainer, the task of babysitting [Hawkeye 133-lber] Austin [DeSanto] throughout the dual fell upon us wrestlers. I mean, we kind of have our own responsibilities during competition, we shouldn’t have to take on the coaches’ job, too.”
Another source indicated there is now real tension among the coaches, and especially between Head Coach Tom Brands and his twin brother Terry. While Tom was obligated to stand matside to greet Hawkeye heavyweight Tony Cassioppi at the conclusion of his match, Terry took advantage of the timing to be the first to go for the trainer while all other eyes were on the mat. Apparently, Tom has taken Terry’s actions personally. And Volunteer Assistant Coach Bobby Telford, who was standing with Tom to greet Cassioppi, is holding a grudge, too.
Video footage from several different angles captured most of the action at the Cyclone bench. Immediately after the final whistle, Terry Brands could be seen bolting in that direction. Cyclone Assistant Coach Derek St. John body-checked Terry in an attempt to block his access to the trainer, who was being escorted quickly off the floor by security staff. Terry was then swarmed by the opposing wrestlers and staff, which is when Telford and the Hawkeye wrestlers rushed upon the scene, soon followed by Tom.
Terry managed to slip out of the dogpile and could be seen sprinting back-and-forth, crazed, behind the scorer’s table, apparently trying to figure out the best way to get back to the Cyclone bench area and to the trainer. By that time, however, she was off the floor and being shuttled to an administrative office. Terry eventually circled around and joined the tussle from the back side. At one point in the video, Tom and Terry grab ahold of one another, and the latter can be heard screaming “You don’t like tough romancing!!!”
As disturbing as the incident seems, no punches were thrown, and no one was physically injured. On that basis, the NCAA is not planning to take disciplinary action. “Boys will be boys,” concluded Emmert with a shrug.
